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7 JME AND SCHO OL SHAKESPEARE 



Julius Caesar 



EDITED BY 

MABEL TOTTLE FRUSH 




ROW, PETERSON & COMPANY 




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JULIUS CAESAE 



EDITED WITH 

HISTORICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES, SUGGESTIONS 

ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION, LESSON HELPS, 

AND STAGE DIRECTIONS 



BY 

MABEL TUTTLE FRUSH 

Teacher op Reading and Dramatic Art, Graduate of the 

Columbia College of Expression, Chicago^ and 

OF the Studk) of the late Mrs. Milward 

Adams, Chicago 



Chicago 
ROW, V^ 






Copyright, 1916 
ROW, PETERSON 
AND COMPANY 



INTRODUCTION 

In selecting Julius Caesar to form one of the num- 
bers of this Shakespearean series, I have been prompted 
by a recognition of certain specific needs, rather than 
an appreciation of dramatic and literary values. 

It is not only the most popular of Shakespeare *s 
dramas but by reason of its theme it makes a stronger 
appeal to the children than any of the other tragedies, 
and is more easily understood. Pupils will readily see 
that both Caesar and Brutus, in their different ways, 
were striving to accomplish the same purpose : suppress 
greed, injustice, and government corruption generally. 
Attention can profitably be called to the extravagance 
of the age, the mad pursuit of pleasure and various 
problems involving the country's progress and social 
welfare, all of which bear more than a passing resem- 
blance to conditions, which nearly two thousand years 
later are engaging the attention of public spirited men 
and women in our own country. The progressive 
teacher will quickly recognize the special opportunities 
to instill lessons in patriotism, stimulate an interest in 
public questions, and reveal the worth of civic virtues. 

Then there are the ethical values. No other Shake, 
spearean drama offers such a wealth of opportunities 
to teach lessons of vital w^orth in character building. 
Most vividly has the poet revealed the part truth, 
honor and integrity play in a career, and the inevitable 
tragedy which follows the violation of these virtues. 
These lessons are so apparent it is hardly necessary to 



4 INTRODUCTION 

dwell upon them, and it is always well to remember 
that the aversion to moralizing is general. 

Although primarily designed for class room work, 
it is hoped that the teacher will give a dramatic presen- 
tation of at least some of the scenes, and to further 
facilitate this suggestions for a simple staging are 
offered in the appendix. 

I wish to take this opportunity of expressing to 
Miss Janet D. Reid of the Warren School, Chicago, 
and to Miss Eva Smedley, Principal of the Noyes Street 
School, Evanston, my gratitude for helpful suggestions 
offered during the preparation of this manuscript. 

Mabel Tuttle Frush. 



WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 

On Henley street, in the village of Stratf ord-on-Avon, 
Warwickshire, England, there stands a little two-story 
building in which was born William Shakespeare, the 
greatest of all English authors. The exact date of his 
birth is unknown, but the old parish register in the 
village church shows that he was christened on April 
26, 1564. Since children were then generally christened 
at the age of three days, he is supposed to have been 
born on April 23. That happens also to have been the 
day of his death, which occurred in 1616. 

He was the eldest son of John and Mary Shakespeare, 
and the third child in a family of eight. During his 
childhood his people appear to have been in fairly 
comfortable circumstances, but later his father, who 
was a small shopkeeper, and at one time mayor of 
Stratford, met with reverses. 

Of the early years of Shakespeare very little is 
known. He received but limited schooling, and it is 
not known what occupation he followed before going 
to London. 

In November, 1582, at the age of eighteen, the poet 
was married to Anne Hathaway, who was seven years 
his senior. She was also a native of Stratford parish, 
having been born in Shottery, a little village now noted 
as the site of the **Anne Hathaway Cottage,'' in which 
she passed her girlhood. Three children were born of 
this marriage: Susanna, Hamnet and Judith, the last 
two twins. The daughters survived their father, but 
Hamnet died at the age of twelve. 

5 



6 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 

In his early twenties Shakespeare went to London, 
where he spent the greater part of the time until he 
retired in 1610. He was connected with the theatre in 
various capacities, and had written eighteen dramas 
before he was thirty-four. Success attended his efforts, 
and he became the owner of some valuable property, 
including **New Place," one of the finest residences in 
Stratford. He was residing there at the time of his 
death, which occurred at the age of fifty-two years. 
He is buried in Stratford church, whence doubtless his 
remains would have been transferred to Westminster 
long ago were it not for the inscription above the crypt. 



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HISTORICAL SETTING 

Two thousand years ago the Roman empire con- 
trolled the world. One by one she had gradually con- 
quered the more important nations of the earth, seizing 
their wealth and taking their citizens captive. No 
other nation had such generals, statesmen and orators, 
and the world has never known greater. 

Ancient Rome. This mighty empire had its begin- 
ning in Rome, the capital of Italy, which was founded 
by Romulus in 753 B. C. That was hundreds of years 
before the discovery of printing or the art of book- 
making, and as few records were kept then the early 
history of the city is largely legendary. Rome is 
located about fifteen miles from the Mediterranean sea. 
The original site of the city was the seven hills on the 
east bank of the Tiber, the second largest river in 
Italy. There are still to be found well-preserved ruins 
of some of the ancient buildings, while the great gal- 
leries of the city contain many interesting works of 
art of that period. 

The Forum. All the public squares of Rome were 
called forums, but the largest of these was called The 
Forum, and the ruins of this magnificent old square 
are now one of the most interesting sights of Italy's 
capital. It was adorned with statues of the heroes and 
kings of Rome and beautiful ornamental sculpture, and 
surrounding it were various public buildings of such 
perfect proportion and design they are still regarded as 
masterpieces of architecture. At one end was a rostrum 
or pulpit, from which were delivered many of the 

7 



8 HISTORICAL SETTING 

greatest orations ever heard. It was here the people 
assembled on all great public occasions. 

The Early Republic. During the first two or three 
hundred years Kome was ruled by kings, of whom there 
were seveUj Komulus having been the first. At last 
the people grew tired of their tyranny, and, under the 
rule of Tarquinius Superbus, overthrew the monarchy 
and established a republic. 

The leader in this revolt was a patrician named 
Lucius Junius. He was a very clever man and knew 
that the success of his undertaking depended upon 
carefully-laid and skilfully-executed plans. It required 
time to perfect his arrangements, and he was constantly 
in danger of arousing the suspicions of the king. To 
avoid this possibility he pretended to be an idiot, and, 
as he was believed really to have lost his reason, he 
was nicknamed Brutus, which means stupid. When 
later the people realized how much they owed to his 
clever deception, the name which had been applied to 
him in ridicule came to signify great honor, and was 
borne with pride by his descendants. 

The Patricians and Plebeians. When the republic 
was established there were two parties in Kome, the 
patricians or nobles, founded by Romulus, and the 
plebeians or common people. Naturally the patricians, 
who were educated people of wealth, were the stronger 
and more influential, and when the king was over- 
thrown they assumed the government of the country. 
The heads of their families composed the senate and 
from their number were chosen two consuls, who were 
the leaders in all matters of government. The consti- 
tution was very broad, however, and granted to the 
people many privileges. All the laws were made in the 
Comitia, an assembly of all the male citizens, and they 



I 



HISTORICAL SETTING 9 

also chose the consuls, who were elected annually. The 
rights of the plebeians were further protected by 
officers known as Tribunes of the People, in whom was 
vested considerable authority, their special duty being 
to prevent the patricians from imposing upon the com- 
mon people. At first there were only two of these 
officers, but their number was gradually increased until 
there v/ere ten. 

Revolt of the Plebeians. Although they were enjoy- 
ing far greater freedom than under the rule of the 
king, the plebeians were not satisfied. They sought 
representation in the senate and demanded that their 
party be recognized as eligible to the consulship. Their 
insistence became more urgent as, year by year, they 
witnessed the senate assume greater authority, and the 
country was in constant turmoil. In time the plebeians 
increased in strength and numbers until the patricians 
were compelled to recognize their power and accede to 
their demands. 

Activities of the People. For several centuries after 
the founding of the republic the Roman government 
remained pure, but increasing wealth and power 
brought corruption. The people gave less and less 
attention to agriculture and kindred pursuits with each 
conquest of the army. The farms became deserted and 
the sons of the common people were drawn into the 
army. War and the love of conquest crowded out 
every other ambition. The patrician families, who were 
yearly enriched by the plunder from the conquered 
countries, lived in the greatest luxury. Their only 
thought was pleasure and they indulged in the wildest 
extravagances, their mode of living ultimately demor- 
alizing all classes of society. 

Pompey the Great. In the first Century before Christ 



10 HISTORICAL SETTING 

there was born in one of the patrician families of Rome 
a boy, who was destined to be one of the world's great 
military leaders. His name was Pompey, and by reason 
of his many successes he was later surnamed the Great. 
When still a young man he went to Asia, where he 
made extensive conquests, returning to Rome with 
many captives and richly laden with spoils. As was 
customary on such occasions, the senate decreed a 
Triumph for him. Beautiful arches were erected over 
the street through which he marched. The houses were 
gayly decorated with banners and flags, and the streets 
and public squares were thronged with people in their 
best attire. We are told it took two days for this 
procession to pass a given place, which enables us to 
form some conception of its magnitude. The people 
paid Pompey every homage, vying with each other to 
do him honor. He was pronounced the greatest of all 
Roman generals, and his statue decorated the Forum 
and other public places. As a further evidence of 
regard he was appointed consul, the highest office in 
the republic. This honor did not satisfy him, however. 
Pompey was very ambitious and secretly aspired to be 
dictator, although he was hardly qualified to meet the 
requirements of such a position. But doubtless he 
would have realized his ambition, regardless of his 
unfitness, had it not have been for another Roman 
general, whose remarkable conquests in the west 
threatened to overshadow the achievements of Pompey. 
Caius Julius Caesar, Pompey 's rival, was the greatest 
man of ancient Rome. Shakespeare pronounced him 
*'the foremost man of all the world," which without 
doubt he was, for he has never been surpassed either 
as a soldier or a statesman. He possessed a brilliant 
mind and excelled in everything he undertook, his fear- 



HISTORICAL SETTING 11 

lessness being matched by his determination. Although 
he was not without faults, they were overshadowed by 
his many noble qualities, and he will ever be ranked 
as one of the wisest and bravest of men. 

Characteristics. Julius Caesar was born in the year 
100 B. C, and was a member of one of the old patrician 
families. But unlike many of his class he had great 
sympathy for the common people, saw their needs and 
recognized their rights. His keen foresight, judgment 
and intelligence showed him that in them, not in the 
nobles, lay the country's strength. Ignorant and super- 
stitious, they were easily swayed in their opinions, but 
they recognized in Caesar a powerful friend and bene- 
factor. The very qualities which won him favor with 
the masses naturally made him unpopular with the 
ruling class. But Caesar possessed to an unusual degree 
that attribute which always distinguishes the truly 
great : the ability to make men serve his purpose. It 
was this power which enabled him to conquer a nation, 
and then win the stanch support and loyalty of its 
people, as he did in Gaul. 

Early Public Service. Caesar chose a military 
career, and in early manhood distinguished himself in 
the Asiatic wars, gaining rapid promotion. Later he 
aspired to various civil offices, and in order better to 
qualify himself to meet their requirements he subse- 
quently studied law and oratory. His ready under- 
standing and keen intelligence won him quick recogni- 
tion in both vocations, particularly in oratory in which 
he ranked second to Cicero only. He also distinguished 
himself as an author. In any capacity in which he 
served Caesar readily won favor with all but his rivals, 
who were ever jealous of his achievements. Not only 
was he blessed with unusual foresight, but he possessed 



12 HISTORICAL SETTING 

the rare faculty of knowing just when and how to 
meet a difficult situation, either on the field of battle 
or in civic affairs. Having capably filled various lesser 
offices at last he was made consul, and while serving 
in this capacity instituted many reforms. As a consul 's 
term was for a year only and he could not be re-elected 
for ten years, it was impossible for him to accomplish 
very much permanent good. 

Military Conquests. At the expiration of his term of 
office Caisar went with his army into Gaul, where he 
remained for nine years. He not only conquered that 
people, but also the Belgians and certain German 
tribes, and twice he invaded Britain. He had been 
promised the consulship when again eligible to that 
office, and having completed his conquests in the west 
prepared to return home. Caesar's ambition was as 
great as his ability, but his purposes were not selfish. 
He aspired to the highest office in the government, but 
he was prompted' by a desire to serve that government. 
He was as able to estimate his own abilities as those 
of his contemporaries, and knew full well that he was 
better qualified to serve the best interests of the people 
than any other man in Rome. The republic, through 
corruption and the abuse of power, had become a farce, 
and the country was ruled by the senate. A more 
corrupt body never existed. They would stoop to any- 
thing to gain their ends, and by means of bribes pre- 
vented any interference on the part of the people. 
Great wealth was constantly being poured into the 
treasury, but the bulk of it subsequently passed into 
possession of the senators. Prudent and wise beyond 
his time, Caesar plainly foresaw what the ultimate 
outcome of this must be. It was clear to his splendid 
vision that it was too late to revive the republic, and 



HISTORICAL SETTING 13 

if the government were to be preserved, the power in 
the hands of the senators must be given to one man, 
who would see that all the states and the conquered 
nations enjoyed equal privileges. This arrangement he 
knew would meet the approval of the people generally, 
but not, of course, of the ruling body. He aspired to 
this office and knowing himself capable of meeting its 
responsibilities began directing his plans to that end. 

Defeat of Pompey. The reform measures introduced 
by Cagsar during the period of his consulship had not 
met with the favor of the majority in power, and they 
determined if possible to prevent his re-appointment. 
Such an achievement presented many difficulties, for 
he was known invariably to accomplish what he under- 
took, and the size and loyalty of his army made him a 
formidable foe. 

At last certain of the senators instigated Pompey, 
who was then consul, to demand that Caesar resign 
the government of Gaul, abandon his army and return 
home, Caesar replied by rapidly marching his troops 
toward Eome. Pompey with his followers fled to Asia, 
where he raised an army and prepared to wage war. 
He was pursued by Caesar, at whose hands he met a 
terrible defeat in Greece. His army destroyed, aban- 
doned by the majority of his followers and deserted by 
his allies, Pompey escaped to Egypt, where he was 
treacherously slain. Thus ended the life of a man who 
a few short months before had been the hero of a 
nation. 

Other generals then took up the cause, but all were 
defeated, and having conquered the sons of Pompey, 
who held the Roman province of Spain, Caesar returned 
to Rome. The senate had decreed a Triumph for him, 
but it bore little resemblance to that of Pompey, for 



14 HISTORICAL SETTING 

not having waged war against a foreign nation he had 
brought back with him neither captives nor spoils. 

The Conqueror's Honors. Despite his mighty vic- 
tory Cgesar still had hosts of enemies, many of them 
men who owed their positions to his favor. Like all 
great men he was envied by the' ambitions but less 
capable, who were always seeking something in his 
life to criticise. Failing in this they turned to invention 
and exaggeration. 

Although not entirely ignorant of the envy and 
jealousy he had created, Caesar had no sense of fear, 
and assumed his duties with no thought or considera- 
tion for anything but the work he wished to accom- 
plish. The senate made him dictator for life, with the 
title of Imperator, and the right to choose his successor. 
A statue was erected to him in the capitol, inscribed 
*^ Caesar the demigod. '^ His image was to be borne in 
the procession of the gods and the seventh month of 
the year was named in honor of him. 

His Enemies. Such authority in the hands of one 
man filled many of the people with apprehension. 
They remembered the stories told of the kings who 
ruled Rome before the days of the republic. Chief 
among those who feared too great power had been 
given Csesar were Brutus, a descendant of Lucius 
Junius, and Cassius. Brutus was held in high regard 
by Caesar, to whom more than any one else he was 
indebted for the success of his public career. But 
Brutus was a visionary, with high ideals and imprac- 
ticable theories, and although he had not forgotten his 
debt to Caesar, he felt he owed a greater obligation to 
Rome. He was a man of fine honor and integrity, and 
was held in high esteem by the Romans, whose confi- 
dence he had won by faithful public service. Cassius, 



HISTORICAL SETTING 15 

on the other hand, was of an envious disposition, ever 
ready to take offense and quick to resent a wrong, 
whether real or imaginary. His every act was 
prompted by selfishness, and if treachery were neces- 
sary to accomplish his purpose he never hesitated to 
employ it. 

Thus it will be seen that many trials and difficulties 
awaited Caesar, whose motives were wrongly construed 
and misunderstood even by those he held dearest. 
Much of this he knew, but it did not shake his purpose. 
Determination had ever marked his way, and he fear- 
lessly resolved steadily to pursue the course he had 
undertaken. 





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TRIUMPH OF CAESAR 



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SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS 

The author does not presume to offer any plan for 
the teaching of Shakespeare, because a method that 
will produce highly satisfactory results in the hands 
of one teacher, may prove entirely ineffectual as em- 
ployed by another. The personality of the instructor 
counts for more in the teaching of literature than in 
any other subject, and this is* especially true in regard 
to Shakespeare. 

Interesting the Pupil. If the teacher is thoroughly 
familiar with the text, and a sufficiently ardent admirer 
of Shakespeare to be independent of the opinions of 
the commentators and critics, her enthusiasm will 
radiate to the class and awaken a response in the most 
indifferent pupil. Once the interest of the students has 
been aroused it will increase, if their attention is con- 
fined to the characters, dramatic development and 
the plot sequence. Pupils in schools below collego 
should be made lovers of Shakespeare, not critical stu- 
dents, and the only way to achieve this end is to avoid 
detailed analysis. Literature is not science and should 
not be subjected to laboratory methods. The under- 
standing of the text presents quite enough difficulties 
to the average pupil, without his mind being encum- 
bered with the date of the production, sources of the 
plot, changes in the text, and other, to him, irrelevant 
data. It is likewise advisable to minimize the impor- 
tance of note-books. If a student is interested he will 
likely take notes, and if he is not the insistence on 
notes will not tend to fire his enthusiasm. 

17 



18 SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS 

Textual Study. Acquainted with the preliminary 
conditions and setting of the play, pupils are ready 
for the actual study of the text. Generally speaking 
it is advisable for the teacher to give the first reading 
of each assignment. At the close, attention should be 
called to such words or phrases as, in her opinion, are 
likely to prove too difficult for independent study. The 
assistance or suggestions she offers for their mastery 
should be largely determined by the aptitude of the 
class. Here again caution must be exercised not to 
make the word and phrase study too detailed. It is 
not advisable to spend much time in clearing up obscure 
phrases, their meaning will gradually come as the pupil 
becomes familiar with the drama, particularly in the 
dialogue reading. The essential thing is that the class 
acquire an intelligent appreciation of each incident in 
the development of the plot and of the characters. 

The first class-reading should not be interrupted for 
textual explanations. Such difficulties as were not dis- 
posed of prior to the reading should be postponed until 
its close. 

Reading by Parts. The advisability of beginning the 
dialogue study before the drama has been read through 
is a matter to be left to the discretion of the teacher. 
It does not seem generally advisable, however, to begin 
reading by parts until the pupils are familiar with the 
entire plot, otherwise they cannot intelligently appre- 
hend their respective roles. Certainly no memorizing 
should be required until character assignments have 
been made, as it is impossible for pupils to appreciate 
the full beauty and significance of the lines unless the 
words are illuminated by the emotional content 
revealed through the action of mind on mind in the 
character interpretation. 



SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHERS 19 

Written Work. It may be doubted whether pupils 
are benefited to any appreciable extent by writing 
themes on the characters, their motives, etc., as of neces- 
sity these are only too often simply a compilation of 
the ideas of others. Informal class room discussions, 
however, where the pupils are encouraged to express 
their personal views are very helpful. The ability to 
think while on his feet and to express his ideas defi- 
nitely and graphically is quite as essential a part of 
a pupil's education as the ability to write, and is not 
generally given the consideration it should receive. A 
composition which calls for personal preferences is like- 
wise valuable. 

In the matter of examinations the *'best method" is 
the one which meets the teacher's individual ideas of 
the fundamental purpose in the study of Literature. It 
hardly appears just, however, to attempt to gauge 
a pupil's knowledge, understanding and appreciation of 
a drama save by comparing his intellectual estimate 
with his vocal interpretation of the author's thought. 



I 



SUGGESTIONS ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION 

It is impossible in the limited space here allotted 
to give more than a few general suggestions on literary 
interpretation. Those here offered are for the most 
part just broad working principles, designed to assist 
the teacher in obtaining a more intelligent reading of 
the lines. In some instances, however, specific sugges^ 
tions have been given on the interpretation of a few 
of the more difficult passages. 

Thought Reading. The reading of verse, even blank 
verse, offers many difficulties to children, who are 
usually disposed to read lines rather than thoughts. 
Much can be done to overcome this tendency by having 
the pupils read rapidly around the class, each reading 
one thought. 

Where a passage contains many modifying clauses, 
it is well to have the pupil omit these until he has 
mastered the principal thought, then add the modifiers 
one by one. He will thus not only grasp the idea of 
subordinating modifying clauses to the main theme, but 
will more readily acquire the ability to differentiate 
values. 

Inversion always offers difficulties, but these can 
usually be overcome by having the pupil transpose the 
sentence into its direct form. When the correct reading 
has been established, again invert the phrase or sen- 
tence, using the same inflections. 

Vocal Interpretation. The teaching of no other sub- 
ject, unless it is vocal music, requires as close observa- 

21 



22 Ot^ LITERARY INTERPRETATION 

tion and criticism of self on the part of the instructor 
as that of reading. This does not mean that the teacher 
should cultivate a studied nicety of speech or an 
affected quality of voice, but it does necessitate an 
appreciation of distinct enunciation, clear articulation 
and a pleasantly modulated voice. Owing to a natural 
disposition to imitate, children unconsciously acquire 
the speech and voice of their teacher, this is especially 
true of her manner of reading. 

It is commonly observed that the reading voice of 
the average child is distinguished by a quality entirely 
unknown to his speaking voice. This voice is generally 
acquired through an effort to obey the teacher's injunc- 
tion to ' * read louder. ' ' In order to make himself heard, 
the pupil naturally takes a higher pitch, giving his tone 
a hard metallic quality, which makes his reading sound 
artificial. The carrying power of a voice no less than 
its beauty is largely dependable upon its resonance 
and overtones, qualities not to be found in the so called 
** public school voice," which also lacks the flexibility 
necessary to variety in expression. The fact that a 
pupil cannot be heard is more often due to poor enun- 
ciation and faulty articulation than the tone. 

It is not sufficient to call the pupil's attention to his 
fault, he must be assisted in finding his correct pitch. 
One of the most satisfactory methods of accomplishing 
this is to have him read some simple sentence, which 
would naturally be read iii the middle register, as ''I 
went home at noon," or ''School is dismissed at three 
o'clock," at several different pitches. The suggestion, 
**Tell me that," is also helpful. It is advisable to 
impress upon the minds of the children that correct 
tone placing is as essential to the quality of a speaking 
voice as to that used in singing. The principles learned 



ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION 23 

in the music lesson can always be profitably applied in 
the reading class. 

Poor articulation is one of the most prevalent faults 
to be noted in the average reading class. Except when 
due to physical conditions this is usually attributable 
to a disregard of vowel values, the slurring of certain 
consonant combinations, or the clipping of final letters. 
Shakespeare should never be employed for any purpose 
but the teaching of Shakespeare, but a little attention 
on the part of an observant teacher will enable her to 
locate the pupil's difficulty, and she can readily devise 
or select a mechanical exercise of full-voweled words, 
difficult consonant combinations, or troublesome final 
syllables, the practice of which will assist the pupil in 
overcoming his habit. 

Many of Brutus' speeches in the ''Orchard Scene" 
are addressed to himself. This subjective quality of 
tone is very difficult for the amateur, but it can be 
acquired by resorting to the mechanical device of 
having the pupil take a reflective attitude (weight on 
heel of back foot, eye unfocused, as if looking inward) 
and say, *'Let me see," endeavoring at the same time 
to recollect something he has really forgotten. The 
difference in tonal quality will readily be recognized. 

The lines ''Help m.e, Cassius, or I sink!" and "Give 
me some drink, Titinius, ' ' Act I, Scene II, are especially 
difficult, but can be mastered if given with the idea of 
reading "down the breath." With the giving out of 
the breath the chest drops, producing a feeling of 
physical lassitude. The teacher, however, should never 
call a pupil's attention to the mechanics necessary to 
produce an effect, but work through the imagination 
by having him recall the sensation experienced at some 
time when frightened or ill, thus awakening the true 



24 ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION 

physical emotion which results in a corresponding vocal 
response. 

Breathing. Unless the reading class follows the 
singing lesson or physical exercises it is advisable to 
devote at least two minutes to breathing exercises. 
This will serve to stimulate the thought and improve 
the voice work. When pupils get out of breath while 
reading or breathe in the wrong place, they should be 
cautioned to breathe at the end of the thought. It 
is especially necessary to heed this injunction when 
reading the swimming incident related by Cassius in 
Act I, Scene II; full, deep breathing being necessary 
to express the vitality of youth, and physical action, 
so splendidly suggested by the rhythm and short 
phrases. 

Inflections. The teacher should not require the 
pupils to imitate her reading, but she should bring out 
the thought or obtain the inflection desired by ques- 
tions. For example line 145, Act I, Scene II, is seldom 
read correctly: ''Men at some time are masters of their 
fates," not "masters of their fates.'' If the pupil puts 
the stress on the latter word, the question, "Men are at 
some time what?" will usually bring the correct inflec- 
tion. Should it fail the teacher can read the line, 
omitting the word "masters" which the pupil should 
supply. He should then be requested to read the entire 
line. Care must be exercised not to make these drills 
too long; for expression is a matter of emotional and 
intellectual development and cannot be forced. The 
fuller intellectual appreciation that gradually comes from 
familiarity with the drama, invariably results in tonal 
variety and better inflections. This method of question- 
ing is necessary to bring out the meaning of the last 



02V^ LITERARY INTERPRETATION 25 

four lines of the same speech, Cassius' peroration, which 
also calls for great emotional intensity. 

Antony's oration is replete with irony, but the irony 
should never be permitted to obtrude itself, as it fre- 
quently does as read by many amateurs and some pro- 
fessionals. They apparently fail to recognize the delicacy 
of Antony's position, or the fact that he is a finished 
diplomat, whose speech is in reality a subtile rebuttal of 
Brutus' argument. 

There is always an artful variation in the expression, 
''Brutus is an honorable man," consistent with the idea 
conveyed in the remark just preceding, but this is given 
through fine shadings of tone and delicate inflections, 
not through emphasis. Otherwise its constant repetition 
would antagonize the mob, not yet won to Antony's cause. 
The substitution of another word, as honest or truthful 
for honorable, will sometimes assist a pupil in acquiring 
the inflection necessary to the expression, and when the 
tonal quality is recognized it can be applied to the 
original word. 

To give the full expressional value to a word, it is 
necessary not only to have a knowledge of its ordinary 
meaning, but an appreciation of all that is implied in 
the context. This is particularly true of verbs and 
adverbs; adjectives can be depended upon to take care 
of themselves. 

Subordinate the personal pronouns, except where 
emphasis is necessary to mark a distinction. .It is par- 
ticularly necessary that this rule be observed in the usage 
of the possessive my, which in Shakespeare is read mt, 
except when contrasted with thy. 

Speech Tunes. A drill in speech tunes, illustrating 
that it is not what we say, but the way we say it which 



26 ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION 

makes us agreeable or offensive, is a splendid preparation 
for Antony's oration. For example take the following 
sentence : 

Edith came home last year. Parts of the sentence of 
equal value. 

Edith came home last year. Compels attention upon 
the person. 

Edith came home last year. Fixes attention upon the 
place. 

Edith came home last year. Sets out the particular 
year. 

She came home last year. Emphasizes the time. 

To illustrate the infinite variations and shades of 
thought which are conveyed through tone, ask the pupil 
a question to be answered with the monosyllable ''yes" 
or "no," in anger, fear, pleasure, etc. For example: 
"Did you go to the woods Saturday?" Let the first 
"Yes" indicate he had a pleasant day; the second, that 
he went without permission and fears punishment; the 
third, that he did not enjoy himself; and the fourth, that 
he has disobeyed and is defiant. 

This drill will be found especially helpful as a prepa- 
ration for some of the speeches in the Tent Scene, par- 
ticularly for Cassius' "Chastisement," and "I, an itching 
palm!" 

Thought Analysis. One of the most difficult speeches 
in this play is that of Marullus addressed to the citizens, 
Act I, Scene I, line 34. It offers such a splendid drill 
in grouping, sequence and subordination, that had it 
been designed specially it could hardly have been better 
adapted to the purpose. A careful analysis of the speech 
shows four distinct group sections: the first three lines 
are a reproachful interrogation; the next two an in- 



Q-N LITERARY INTERPRETATION 27 

veetive ; there follows a restrospective description ; and 
the whole ends in a denunciation. 

Calling the pupil's attention to this division not only 
enables him to grasp the idea of variety in emotional 
expression, but develops the habit of closer thought 
analysis. A satisfactory rendition of the ten lines begin- 
ning with 39, as of all other descriptive passages, requires 
clear visualizing and an appreciation of the cumulative 
effects of sequence in both thought and tone. Where the 
pupil's mental pictures seem to be blurred, the teacher 
should assist him in visualizing by a few pertinent 
questions. 

Care should be taken to ensure an accurate knowledge 
of the meaning of each word, and of the ability to clearly 
differentiate : as for instance, between towers and hattle- 
ments. Ask him to visualize a building, then in his 
imagination see some one endeavoring to attain its highest 
point while reading the lines, ''Have you clim'd walls, 
etc." It is better, as previously suggested, to omit the 
modifying clauses until the pupil can subordinate them 
to the main theme. Where a pupil is unusually deficient 
in imagination it is well to have him recall some holiday 
celebration he has witnessed, always appealing to the 
everyday experiences in stimulating the visualizing 
powers or the emotions. 

The interpretation of the long speeches of Cassius in 
Act I, Scene II, will also be very much improved if 
subjected to an analysis similar to the above. This is 
especially true in regard to the one beginning with line 
96, one of the finest passages in the entire drama, but too 
long for a public performance, unless well given. It is 
impossible to even suggest the delicate shadings of tone 
and subtile inflections employed by Cassius in his effort 



28 ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION 

to win Brutus to his cause, but much variety can be 
obtained by a careful analysis of the thought. Each 
will bring its corresponding change of color : mental sub- 
tilties being expressed through delicate shadings of tone. 

The ellipsis, which Shakespeare employs with such 
marvelous effect, presents difficulties both intellectual and 
expressional. The two most notable examples of the use 
of this figure in the present drama are Cicero's **Why, 
saw you any thing more wonderful?" and Casca's, 
''Hold, my hand," Act I, Scene III. The most satis- 
factory method of mastering the difficulties offered in 
these speeches is to have the pupil supplj'- the words 
omitted, thus the first' would read : * ' What, saw you any 
thing more (that was) wonderful?" and the second, 
''Hold, (here is) my hand." They will soon recognize 
the necessity of supplying the verbal omission through 
the tone and inflection. 

Line 69 in the last scene is frequently read as if to 
night were tonight. To avoid this, have the pupil think 
into when he reads to, or if necessary substitute the 
former word, until he has caught the right inflection. 
But it is better, where possible, to have the pupil "think" 
the word, as it not only affords a good mental drill, but 
makes his reading less mechanical. 

Character Assignments. Before beginning the dra- 
matic action the teacher should see that each pupil has 
a definite idea of the character he is to impersonate, and 
is able to form a distinct mental picture of it. 

It is generally advisable on beginning the study of a 
character to make the assignment to the pupil qualified 
to give the best interpretation. Each member of the 
class, however, should be given an opportunity to imper- 
sonate as many roles as possible, the assignments being 
made regardless of sex. Always encourage originality in 



ON LITERARY INTERPRETATION 29 

impersonation, at the same time holding the pupil true 
to the generally accepted idea of the character. 

In making assignments for the general class-room work, 
after the initial study, pupils can be benefited in 
innumerable ways if they are assigned characters for 
which they are not well suited. For instance let the 
shy, modest girl and diffident boy play Caesar or Cassius, 
and the aggressive, conceited boy or girl take the role 
of Antony or Brutus. 

Several pupils should be assigned the same role for 
each recitation, care being exercised in the dialogue 
arrangement that weak pupils do not play opposite. It 
is always advisable, if possible, to close the recitation with 
the strongest pupils impersonating the various roles. 

In the dialogue work the teacher should insist from 
the first upon the intelligent attention of the character 
addressed to the one speaking. To listen with as keen 
attention and interest to a speech with which one is 
perfectly familiar as if hearing it for the first time is 
more difficult than to speak lines. The dramatic 
intensity of a scene is as dependent upon the responsive- 
ness of the silent characters as upon the expression of the 
speaker, their sympathetic attention not only serving to 
stimulate his emotion, but adding to the vividness and 
reality of the play. 

Observe the colons ; they always indicate a movement, 
change of key, or some stage business. 

All aphorisms, maxims, or great moral truths, as for 
example, *'Men at some time are masters of their fates," 
should be given to the front, never addressed to those on 
the stage, for their appeal is universal. 



CHARACTERS REPRESENTED 



Julius C^sab. 






A Soothsayer. 




-] 


Triumvirs 


LUCILIUS, 




OCTAVIUS C^SAR, 


after the 


TiTINIUS, 


Friends to 


Marcus Antonius, 


'death of 


Messala, 


-Brutus and 


M. Ji]MILIUS LePIDUS, 


Julius 


Young Cato, 


Cassius. 




Gwsar. 


VOLUMNIUS, 




Cicero, ^ 


Varro, 




PuBLius, . ^Senators. 


Clitus, 




PoPiLius Lena, J 


Claudius, 


Servants to 


Marcus Brutus, ' 




Strato, 


'Brutus. 


Cassius, 




Lucius, 




Casca, 


Conspirators 


Dardanius, 




Trebonius, 


^against 


PiNDARus, Servant to Cassius. 


LiGARIUS, 


'Julius 






Decius Brutus, 


GcBsar. 






Metellus Cimber, 




Calpurnia, Wife to Cwsar. 


CiNNA, , 




Portia, Wife to Brutus. 


Flavius and Marullus, 






Tribunes. 






Arte]\iidorus of Gnidos, a teacher 


Senators, Citizens, Guards, At- 


of Philosophy. 






tendants, etc 


'. 



Scene: Rome; the neighborhood of Sardis; the neighborhood 
of Philippi. 



JULIUS CiESAR 



It was a radiant day in early spring, and the streets of Rome 
were thronged with gayly dressed people. The air rang with their 
merriment, and their feet kept time to lively strains of music. 
It was the day of Caesar's Triumph, which happened also to be 
the feast of Lupercal. This festival was held annually in honor 
of Lupercus, god of the Shepherds, who was thought to keep the 
wolves from the sheep. The city was gay with flags and banners, 
beautiful arches spanning the streets through which the procession 
was to pass. There were flowers everywhere, and on the busts 
and statues of Caesar were hung trophies he had brought from the 
wars. Among the statues of the kings and heroes of Rome, 
Caesar had placed one of himself. And some one, hoping to find 
favor with the Great Dictator, had decorated it with a crown of 
laurel, adorned with a white ribbon which was the badge of 
royalty. 

Although it was a feast day and a victory was being celebrated, 
which marked the restoration of peace after five years of civil 
war, the people of Rome were not all in a holiday mood. There 
were mutterings of discontent, and much criticism of Caesar for 
celebrating his defeat of Pompey's sons with a triumph, such as 
was decreed only after the conquest of a foreign nation. The 
memory of the Great Pompey was dear to many in Rome, and 
there were those who feared the power given Caesar, knowing 
it to herald the passing of the republic. 

But the working people were out in their gala attire, bent on 
having a good time. They were not burdened with the sorrows 
of days past, nor borrowing trouble from those to come, it was 
intended they should be happy today, and they were crowding 
all the pleasure possible into the hours. Ignorant and illiterate, 
easily influenced, and always ready to be swayed in their opinions, 
tomorrow they might be ready to stab Caesar, but today they 

31 



32 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

were paying him homage. Into their lowly lives came few 
pleasures, and the joys of a holiday were not to be ignored. 
There were to be games and sports, music, and unlimited food, 
all provided at Csesar's expense, so in gratitude they did him, 
honor. 

In those days the law forbade a mechanic to appear on the 
street on a working-day unless arrayed in the garb of his calling. 
But this was a holiday, and there was not to be seen a man 
whose dress was indicative of his trade. It was impossible to 
tell a carpenter from a shoemaker, or a blacksmith from a 
stone-mason. 

Among those who objected to the rule of Caesar were two of 
the tribunes of Rome, Marullus and Flavins. Walking along 
the street bent upon the discharge of their duties, they met a 
group of mechanics arrayed in their best, laughing and exchang- 
ing rude jests. Resenting the indignity he felt this holiday cast 
upon the memory of Pompey, Flavins sharply addressed them. 



ACT I 
Scene I. Borne. A street. 

Enter Flavius, Marullus, and certain Commoners. 

Flav. Hence! home, you idle creatures, get you 
home: 
Is this a holiday ? what ! know you not, 
Being mechanical, you ought not walk 
Upon a laboring day without the sign 
Of your profession ? Speak, what trade art thou ? ^ 

First Com. Why, sir, a carpenter. 

Mar. Where is thy leather apron and thy rule ? 
What dost thou with thy best apparel on ? 
You, sir, what trade are you? 

Sec. Com,. Truly, sir, in respect of a fine workman, ^° 
I am but, as you would say, a cobbler. 

Mar. But what trade art thou? Answer me directly. 

Sec. Com. A trade, sir, that, I hope, I may use with 



Scene I] JULIUS G.^SAR 33 

a safe conscience ; which is, indeed, sir, a mender of bad 
soles. '^ 

Mar. What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, 
what trade? 

Sec. Com. Nay, I beseech you, sir, be not out with 
me : yet, if you be out, sir, I can mend you. 

Mar. What mean'st thou by that? mend me, thou 
saucy fellow! ^^ 

Sec. Com. Why, sir, cobble you. 

Flav. Thou art a cobbler, art thou? 

Sec. Com. Truly, sir, all that I live by is with the 
awl: I meddle with no tradesman's matters, nor wo- 
men 's matters, but with awl. I am, indeed, sir, a sur- ^^ 
geon to old shoes; when they are in great danger, I 
re-cover them. As proper men as ever trod upon neat's 
leather have gone upon my handiwork. 

Flav. But wherefore art not in thy shop to-day ? 
Why dost thou lead these men about the streets ? ^^ 

Sec. Com. Truly, sir, to wear out their shoes, to get 
myself into more work. But, indeed, sir, we make 
holiday, to see Caesar and to rejoice in his triumph. 

Mar. Wherefore rejoice? What conquest brings he 
home ? 
What tributaries follow him to Rome, ^^ 

To grace in captive bonds his chariot- wheels ? 
You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things ! 
O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, 
Knew you not Pompey ? Many a time and oft 
Have you climb 'd up to walls and battlements, *° 

To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops. 
Your infants in your arms, and there have sat 
The live-long day, with patient expectation, 
To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome : 
And when you saw his chariot but appear, ^^ 



34 JULIUS G^SAB [Act I 

Have you not made an universal shout, 

That Tiber trembled underneath her banks, 

To hear the replication of your sounds 

Made in her concave shores ? 

And do you now put on your best attire ? ^^ 

And do you now cull out a holiday ? 

And do you now strew flowers in his way 

That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? 

Be gone ! 

Run to your houses, fall upon your knees, ^^ 

Pray to the gods to intermit the plague 

That needs must light on this ingratitude. 

Flav. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for this fault. 
Assemble all the poor men of your sort ; 
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears ®° 

Into the channel, till the lowest stream 
Do kiss the most exalted shores of all. 

[Exeunt all the Commoners. 
See, wher their basest metal be not mov 'd ; 
They vanish tongue-tied in their guiltiness. 
Go you down that way towards the Capitol ; ®^ 

This way will I : disrobe the images, 
If you do find them deck'd with ceremony. 

Mar. May we do so f 
You know it is the feast of Lupercal. 

Flav. It is no matter ; let no images "^^ 

Be hung with Caesar's trophies. I'll about. 
And drive away the vulgar from the streets : 
So do you too, where you perceive them thick. 
These growing feathers pluck 'd from Csesar 's wing 
Will make him fly an ordinary pitch, ^^ 

Who else would soar above the view of men 
And keep us all in servile fearfulness. 

[Exeunt. 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 35 

Scene II. A public place. 

Flourish. Enter C^sar; Antony, for the course; Cal- 

PURNIA, Portia, Decius, Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and 

Casca ; a great crowd following, among them a Sooth- 
sayer. 

Cces. Calpurnia ! 

Casca. Peace, ho ! Caesar speaks. 

Cces. Calpurnia ! 

Cal. Here, my lord. 

Go's. Stand you directly in Antonius' way, ^ 

When he doth run his course. Antonius! 

Ant. Caesar, my lord? 

Cces. Forget not, in your speed, Antonius, 
To touch Calpurnia; for our elders say. 
The barren, touched in this holy chase, ^° 

Shake off their sterile curse. 

Ant. I shall remember : 

When Caesar says ' ' do this, " it is perform 'd. 

Ccus. Set on ; and leave no ceremony out. [Flourish. 

Sooth. Caesar ! ^^ 

Cces. Ha! who calls? 

Casca. Bid every noise be still : peace yet again ! 

CcBs. Who is it in the press that calls on me ? 
I hear a tongue, shriller than all the music, 
Cry ' ' Caesar ! ' ' Speak ; Caesar is turn 'd to hear. ^^ 

Sooth. Beware the ides of March. 

Cces. What man is that ? 

Bru. A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March. 

Cces. Set him before me ; let me see his face. 

Cas. Felloe, come from the throng; look upon 
Caesar. ^^ 

CcBs. What say 'st thou to me now ? speak once again. 

Sooth. Beware the ides of March. 



36 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

C(BS. He is a dreamer ; let us leave him : pass. 

[Sennet. Exeunt all except Brutus and Cassius. 

Gas. Will you go to see the order of the course ? 

Bru. Not I. '' 

Ca^. I pray you, do. 

Bru. I am not gamesome : I do lack some part 
Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. 
Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires ; 
I '11 leave you. ^* 

Cos. Brutus, I do observe you now of late : 
I have not from your eyes that gentleness 
And show of love as I was wont to have : 
You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand 
Over your friend that loves you. ^^ 

Bru. Cassius, 

Be not deceiv 'd : if I have veil 'd my look, 
I turn the trouble of my countenance 
Merely upon myself. Vexed I am 

As the procession moved forward, Brutus and Cassius stepped 
aside. Despite a marked difference in their ideas and principles 
of life these men had been stanch friends and close companions 
for many years. Brutus' gentle nature and frank manner won 
him hosts of friends and he was popular with all classes; but 
Cassius, although a man of keener mentality and greater ability, 
did not readily inspire confidence in those he met and he attracted 
few people. His intimacy with Brutus was largely due, in all 
probability, to their relationship, Cassius having married Junia, 
a sister of Brutus. 

When Caesar came into power Brutus and Cassius were rivals 
for the chief prsetorship of Rome, an office very similar to that of 
judge in our day, Brutus winning the appointment through 
Caesar's favor. This incident served to strengthen the dislike of 
Cassius for Caesar, whose increasing power and popularity he 
deeply resented. He had been a loyal and faithful follower of 
Pompey, under whom he had enjoyed many favors, and had been 
in charge of part of the forces of that great general at Pharsalia, 



Scene II] JULIUS CM8AR 37 

Of late with passions of some difference, *^ 

Conceptions only proper to myself, 

"Which give some soil perhaps to my behavior ; 

But let not therefore my good friends be griev 'd — 

Among which number, Cassius, be you one— 

Nor construe any further my neglect, ^" 

Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war. 

Forgets the shows of love to other men. 

Cas. Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your 
passion ; 
By means whereof this breast of mine hath buried 
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. ^^ 

Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face ? 

Brw. No, Cassius ; for the eye sees not itself 
But by reflection, — by some other thing. 

Gas. 'T is just ; 
And it is very much lamented, Brutus, ^^ 

That you have no such mirrors as will turn 

where they met their final defeat at the hands of Caesar, to whom 
Cassius surrendered. Proud and ambitious, it was deeply humili- 
ating to Cassius to serve under a man, whose ability he felt to 
be no greater, if equal, to his own. Caesar, whose understanding 
of human nature was too sound to lead him far astray in his 
judgment of men, felt this and questioned the purposes of Cassius, 
having little confidence in his loyalty. 

His failure to win the praetorship had not only served to further 
embitter the spirit of Cassius but led him to direct all hia 
energies toward overthrowing Caesar's power. Closely watchful 
of those about him, he had observed the changed manner of 
Brutus: his continuous air of preoccupation, poorly veiled resent- 
ment of Caesar's remarks and seemingly critical contemplation of 
the dictator's conduct in the senate. Readily alert to the ad- 
vantage this might give in the development^ of his plan, Cassius 
overlooked the coldness which had arisen between him and 
Brutus, after the latter became praetor, and artfully planned to 
win his confidence. 



38 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

Your hidden worthiness into your eye, 

That you might see your shadow. I have heard, 

Where many of the best respect in Rome, 

Except immortal Caesar, speaking of Brutus ^^ 

And groaning underneath this age 's yoke. 

Have wish 'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. 

Bru. Into what dangers would you lead me, Cas- 
sius, 
That you would have me seek into myself 
For that which is not in me ? ^° 

Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepar'd to hear: 
And since you know you cannot see yourself 
So well as by reflection, I, your glass. 
Will modestly discover to yourself 

That of yourself which you yet know not of. '^^ 

And be not jealous on me, gentle Brutus : 
Were I a common laugher, or did use 
To stale with ordinary oaths my love 
To every new protester ; if you know 
That I do fawn on men and hug them hard ^^ 

And after scandal them, or if you know 
That I profess myself in banqueting 
To all the rout, then hold me dangerous. 

[Flourish, and shout. 

Bru. What means this shouting? I do fear, the 
people 
Choose Cassar for their king. ^^ 

Cas. Ay, do you fear it '/ 

Then must I think you would not have it so. 

Bru. I would not, Cassius ; yet I love him well. 
But wherefore do you hold me here so long ? 
What is it that you would impart to me ? ®° 

If it be aught toward the general good. 
Set honor in one eye and death i ' th ' other, 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 39 

And I will look on both indifferently, 
For let the gods so speed me as I love 
The name of honor more than I fear death. ^^ 

Ca^. I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, 
As well as I do know your outward favor. 
Well, honor is the subject of my story. 
I cannot tell what you and other men 
Think of this life ; but, for my single self, ^^^ 

I had as lief not be as live to be 
In awe of such a thing as I myself. 
I was born free as Caesar ; so were you : 
We both have fed as well, and we can both 
Endure the winter 's cold as well as he : ^^^ 

For once, upon a raw and gusty day, 
The troubled Tiber chafing with her shores, 
Caesar said to me, ^'Dar'st thou, Cassius, now 
Leap in with me into this angry flood. 
And swim to yonder point ? ' ' Upon the word, 1^° 

Accoutred as I was, I plunged in 
And bade him follow ; so indeed he did. 
The torrent roar 'd, and we did buffet it 
With lusty sinews, throwing it aside 
And stemming it with hearts of controversy; ^^^ 

But ere we could arrive the point propos 'd, 
Caesar cried, ''Help me, Cassius, or I sink!" 
I, as JEneas, our great ancestor. 
Did from the flames of Troy upon his shoulder 
The old Anchises bear, so from the waves of Tiber ^^^ 
Did I the tired Caesar. And this man 
Is now become a god, and Cassius is 
A wretched creature and must bend his body, 
If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. 
He had a fever when he was in Spain, ^^^ 

And when the fit was on him, I did mark 



40 JULIUS C/ESAR [Act I 

How he did shake : 't is true, this god did shake : 

His coward lips did from their color fly, 

And that same eye whose bend doth awe the world 

Did lose his lustre : I did hear him groan : ^^° 

Ay, and that tongue of his that bade the Romans 

Mark him and write his speeches in their books, 

Alas, it cried ' ' Give me some drink, Titinius, ' ' 

As a sick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me 

A man of such a feeble temper should ^^^ 

So get the start of the majestic world 

And bear the palm alone. [Shout. Flourish. 

Bru. Another general shout! 
I do believe that these applauses are 
For some new honors that are heap 'd on Caesar. ^**^ 

Cas. Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world 
Like a Colossus, and we petty men 
Walk under his huge legs and peep about 
To find ourselves dishonorable graves. 
Men at some time are masters of their fates : ^*^ 

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, 
But in ourselves, that we are underlings. 
Brutus and CaBsar : what should be in that ' ' Caesar ' ' ? 
Why should that name be sounded more than yours ? 
Write them together, yours is as fair a name; ^^° 

Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well ; 
Weigh them, it is as heavy ; conjure with 'em, 
' ' Brutus ' ' will start a spirit as soon as ' ' Caesar. ' ' 
Now, in the names of all the gods at once, 
Upon what meat doth this our Csesar feed, ^^^ 

That he is grown so great ? Age, thou art sham 'd ! 
Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods ! 
When went there by an age, since the great flood. 
But it was f am 'd with more than with one man ? 
When could they say till now, that talk'd of Rome, ^®° 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 41 

That her wide walls encompass 'd but one man? 

Now is it Rome indeed and room enough, 

When there is in it but one only man. 

O, you and I have heard our fathers say, 

There was a Brutus once that would have brook 'd ^^^ 

The eternal devil to keep his state in Rome 

As easily as a king. 

Bru. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous ; 
What you would work me to, I have some aim : 
How I have thought of this and of these times, ^^" 

I shall recount hereafter ; for this present, 
I would not, so with love I might entreat you. 
Be any further mov 'd. What you have said 
I will consider ; what you have to say 
I will with patience hear, and find a time ^^^ 

Both meet to hear and answer such high things. 
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this : 
Brutus had rather be a villager 
Than to repute himself a son of Rome 
Under these hard conditions as this time ^^^ 

Is like to lay upon us. 

Cas. I am glad that my weak words 
Have struck but thus much show of fire from Brutus. 

Bru. The games are done and Caesar is returning. 

Cas. As they pass by, pluck Casca by the sleeve ; ^^^ 
And he will, after his sour fashion, tell you 
What hath proceeded worthy note to-day. 
Be-enter Cesar and his Train. 

Bru. I will do so. But, look you, Cassius, 
The angry spot doth glow on Caesar's brow, 
And all the rest look like a chidden train : ^®" 

Calpurnia 's cheek is pale ; and Cicero 
Looks with such ferret and such fiery eyes 
As we have seen him in the Capitol, 



42 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

Being cross 'd in conference by some senators. 

Cas. Casca will tell us what the matter is. ^^^ 

CcEs. Antonius! 

Ant. Cffisar ? 

C(FS. Let me have men about me that are fat : 
Sleek-headed men and such as sleep o ' nights : 
Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look ; ^^^ 

He thinks too much : such men are dangerous. 

Ant. Fear him not, Csesar ; he 's not dangerous ; 
He is a noble Roman and well given. 

Cces. Would he were fatter ! But I fear him not : 
Yet if my name were liable to fear, ^^^ 

I do not know the man I should avoid 
So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much ; 
He is a great observer, and he looks 
Quite through the deeds of men ; he loves no plays, 
As thou dost, Antony ; he hears no music ; ^^*^ 

Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort 
As if he mock 'd himself and scorn 'd his spirit 
That could be mov 'd to smile at any thing. 
Such men as he be never at heart 's ease 
"Whiles they behold a greater than themselves, ^^^ 

And therefore are they very dangerous. 
I rather tell thee what is to be fear 'd 
Than what I fear ; for always I am Caesar. 
Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf. 
And tell me truly what thou think 'st of him. ^^^ 

[Sennet. Exeunt Ccesar and all his Train, hut Casca. 

Casca was another of the senators who were bitterly opposed 
to the rule of Caesar, but he endeavored to conceal his dislike of 
the Dictator behind a rude and careless indifference of manner. 
He possessed a keen mind but a coarse and cruel nature, and 
knowing him to be one who would ably serve his purpose, Cassius 
determined to win him to the cause. 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 43 

Casca. You pull'd me by the cloak ; would you speak 
with me ? 

Bru. Ay, Casca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-day, 
That Ca3sar looks so sad. 

Casca. Why, you were with him, were you not? 

Bru. I should not then ask Casca what had chanc 'd. ""' 

Casca. Why, there was a crown offer 'd him: and 
being offer 'd him, he put it by with the back of his 
hand, thus ; and then the people fell a-shouting. 

Bru. What was the second noise for ? 

230 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Cas. They shouted thrice: what was the last cry for? 

Casca. Why, for that too. 

Bru. Was the crown offer 'd him thrice? 

Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice, 
every time gentler than other ; and at every putting- """ 
by mine honest neighbors shouted. 

Cas. Who offer 'd him the crown? 

Casca. Why, Antony. 

Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Casca. 

Casca. I can as well be hang'd as tell the manner ^40 
of it: it was mere foolery; I did not mark it. I saw 
Mark Antony offer him a crown;— yet 't was not a 
crown neither, 't was one of these coronets ;— and, as 
I told you, he put it by once : but, for all that, to my 
thinking, he would fain have had it. Then he offer 'd '*' 
it to him again; then he put it by again: but, to my 
thinking, he was very loath to lay his fingers off it. 
And then he offer 'd it the third time; he put it the 
third time by: and still as he refus'd it, the rabble- 
ment shouted and clapp'd their chapp'd hands and ''° 
threw up their sweaty night-caps and utter 'd such a 
deal of stinking breath because Caesar refus'd the crown 
that it had almost choked Caesar ; for he swooned and 



44 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

fell down at it : and for mine own part, I durst not laugh, 
for fear of opening my lips and receiving the had 
air. 255 

Cas. But, soft, I pray you : what, did Caesar swoon ? 
Casca. He fell down in the market-place, and 
foam'd at mouth, and was speechless. 

Bru. 'T is very like : he hath the falling sickness. ^^^ 
Cas. No, Caesar hath it not ; but you and I 
And honest Casca, we have the falling sickness. 

Casca. I know not what you mean by that; but, I 
am sure, Caesar fell down. If the tag-rag people did not 
clap him and hiss him, according as he pleas 'd and ^^^ 
displeas'd them, as they use to do the players in the 
theatre, I am no true man. 

Bru. What said he when he came unto himself? 

Casca. Marry, before he fell down, when he per- 
ceived the common herd was glad he refus'd the ^^^ 
crown, he pluck 'd me ope his doublet and offer 'd them 
his throat to cut. An I had been a man of any occupa- 
tion, if I would not have taken him at a word, I would 
I might go to hell among the rogues. And so he fell. 
When he came to himself again, he said. If he had ^75 
done or said any thing amiss, he desir'd their worships to 
think it was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where 
I stood, cried ''Alas, good soul!" and forgave him 
with all their hearts: but there's no heed to be taken 
of them; if Caesar had stabb'd their mothers, they ^so 
would have done no less. 

Bru. And after that, he came, thus sad, away ? 

Casca. Ay. 

Cas. Did Cicero say any thing ? 

Casca. Ay, he spoke Greek. 285 

Cas. To what effect? 

Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look you 



Scene II] JULIUS CMSAB 45 

i* t'h' face again: but those that understood him smil'd 
at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine 
own part, it was Greek to me. I could tell you more ^^^ 
news too: MaruUus and Flavins, for pulling scarfs off 
Caesar 's images, are put to silence. Fare you well. There 
was more foolery yet, if I could remembe'* it. 

Gas. Will you sup with me to-night, Cascaf 

Cdsca. No, I am promis'd forth. ^®^ 

Gas. Will you dine with me to-morrow ? 

Gasca. Ay, if I be alive and your mind hold and your 
dinner worth the eating. 

Gas. Good : I will expect you. 

Gasca. Do so. Farewell, both. [Exit. ^'^^ 

Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be ! 
He was quick mettle when he went to school. 

Gas. So is he now in execution 
Of any bold or noble enterprise, 

However he puts on this tardy form. ^°^ 

This rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, 
Which gives men stomach to digest his words 
With better appetite. 

Bru. And so it is. For this time I will leave you: 
To-morrow, if you please to speak with me, ^^^ 

I will come home to you ; or, if you will, 
Come home to me, and I will wait for you. 

Gas. I will do so : till then, think of the world. 

[Exit Brutus. 
Well, Brutus, thou art noble ; yet, I see, 
Thy honorable metal may be wrought ^^^ 

From that it is dispos 'd : therefore it is meet 
That noble minds keep ever with their likes ; 
For who so firm that cannot be seduc'd? 
Caesar doth bear me hard ; but he loves Brutus : 
If I were Brutus now and he were Cassius, ^^® 



46 JULIUS GJBSAR [Act I 

He should not humor me. I will this night', 

In several hands, in at his windows throw, 

As if they came from several citizens, 

Writings all tending to the great opinion 

That Eome holds of his name ; wherein obscurely ^^^ 

Caesar 's ambition shall be glanced at : 

And after this let Caesar seat him sure ; 

For we will shake him, or worse days endure. 

Scene III. The same. A street. 

Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, 
Casca, with his sword drawn, and Cicero. 

Cic. Good even, Casca: brought you Caesar home? 
"Why are you breathless ? and why stare you so ? 

Casca. Are not you mov 'd, when all the sway of earth 
Shakes like a thing unfirm ? Cicero, 
I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds ® 

Have riv 'd the knotty oaks, and I have seen 

Almost a month had passed since the feast of Lupercal, when 
Caesar refused the crown offered by Antony. During that time 
the Great Dictator had introduced various measures which would 
benefit the people. He had also instituted some public reforms, 
and was ready to put into execution a number of improvements, 
which would greatly promote the welfare and progress of the 
country. Among his plans was one for diverting the Tiber, in 
order to insure a safe and easy passage for all merchants who 
traded in Kome. He also intended to reclaim for agricultural 
purposes vast tracts of marshes, thus providing employment for 
thousands of men, and increasing the country's farming lands 
by the addition of hundreds of acres of rich, tillable soil. It was 
likewise his purpose to build vast break- waters along the shores 
of the Mediterranean, to prevent the sea from washing in upon 
the land, and there were to be built new ports and harbors. 

Despite the capable manner in which he was directing the 



Scene III] JULIUS C^SAB 47 

The ambitious ocean swell and rage and foam, 

To be exalted with the threat 'ning clouds: 

But never till to-night, never till now, 

Did I go through a tempest dropping fire. ^^ 

Either there is a civil strife in heaven. 

Or else the world, too saucy with the gods, 

Incenses them to send destruction. 

Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful ? 

Casca. A common slave — ^you know him well by 
sight— '' 

Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn 
Like twenty torches join'd, and yet his hand. 
Not sensible of fire, remain 'd unscorch 'd. 
Besides — I ha' not since put up my sword — 
Against the Capitol I met a lion, ^^ 

Who glar'd upon me, and went surly by. 
Without annoying me : and there were drawn 
Upon a heap a hundred ghastly women. 
Transformed with their fear ; who swore they saw 
Men all in fire walk up and down the streets. ^^ 

government, Csesar was still held in ill favor by the majority of 
the Roman Senators, and every reform he introduced called forth 
fresh criticism. During the passing weeks his enemies had not 
been idle, but had quietly tried to arouse a spirit of discontent, 
and turn those favorably disposed toward Csesar against him. 

It was the night of the 14th of March, and a terrible storm 
was sweeping over Rome. It seemed as if the earth would be 
torn asunder by the mighty peals of thunder, and the heavens 
were rent with flashes of lightning, as if the gods angered beyond 
endurance were threatening to destroy the world. Those whose 
business called them forth told of strange experiences, and history 
has recorded stories of remarkable happenings on that night. 
Casca, who was always brave in his relations with man, was 
possessed by a terrible fear, as with drawn sword, wild-eyed and 
breathless he rushed into the public square, where he encountered 
Cicero. 



48 JULIUS G2E8AB [Act I 

And yesterday the bird of night did sit 

Even at noon-day upon the market-place, 

Hooting and shrieking. When these prodigies 

Do so conjointly meet, let not men say 

* * These are their reasons ; they are natural ; " ^^ 

For, I believe, they are portentous things 

Unto the climate that they point upon. 

Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time : 
But men may construe things after their fashion, 
Clean from the purpose of the things themselves. ^^ 

Comes Caesar to the Capitol to-morrow ? 

Casca. He doth ; for he did bid Antonius 
Send word to you he would be there to-morrow. 

Cic. Good night then, Casca: this disturbed sky 
Is not to walk in. "^^ 

Casca. Farewell, Cicero. [Exit Cicero. 

Enter Cassius. 

Cas. Who's there? 

Casca. A Roman. 

Cas. Casca, by your voice. 

Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what ' night is 
this ! *« 

Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. 

Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so ? 

Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of 
faults. 
For my part, I have walk'd about the streets, 
Submitting me unto the perilous night, *° 

And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, 
Have bar 'd my bosom to the thunder-stone ; 
And when the cross blue lightning seem'd to open 
The breast of heaven, I did present myself 
Even in the aim and very flash of it. *^ 



ScjENE III] JULIUS C^SAR 



49 



Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the 
heavens ? 
It is the part of men to fear and tremble, 
When the most mighty gods by tokens send 
Such dreadful heralds to astonish us. 

Gas. You are dull, Casca, and those sparks of life ^'^ 
That should be in a Koman you do want. 
Or else you use not. You look pale and gaze 
And put on fear and case yourself in wonder. 
To see the strange impatience of the heavens : 
But if you would consider the true cause ^^ 

Why all these fires, why all these gliding ghosts, 
Why birds and beasts from quality and kind, 
Why old men fool, and children calculate, 
Why all these things change from their ordinance 
Their natures and preformed faculties ^o 

To monstrous quality,— why, you shaU find 
That heaven hath inf us 'd them with these spirits. 
To make them instruments of fear and warning 

Unto some monstrous state. 

Now could I, Casca, name to thee a man 75 

Most like this dreadful night. 

That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars 

As doth the lion in the Capitol, 

A man no mightier than thyself or me 

In personal action, yet prodigious grown so 

And fearful, as these strange eruptions are. 

Casca. 'T is Caesar that you mean ; is it not, Cassius ? 
Cas. Let it be who it is : for Romans now 

Have thews and limbs like to their ancestors ; 

But, woe the while ; our fathers ' minds are dead, ^^ 

And we are govern 'd with our mothers ' spirits ; 

Our yoke and sufferance show us womanish. ' 
Casca. Indeed, they say the senators to-morrow 



50 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

Mean to establish Caesar as a king ; 

And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, ®" 

In every place, save here in Italy. 

Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then ; 
Cassius from bondage will deliver Cassins : 
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak most strong ; 
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat : ^^ 

Nor stony tower, nor walls of beaten brass. 
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron. 
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit ; 
But life, being weary of these worldly bars. 
Never lacks power to dismiss itself. ^^^ 

If I know this, know all the world besides. 
That part of tyranny that I do bear 
I can shake off at pleasure. [Thunder still. 

Casca. So can I : 

So every bondman in his own hand bears ^^^ 

The power to cancel his captivity. 

Cas. And why should Caesar be a tyrant then ? 
Poor man ! I know he would not be a wolf. 
But that he sees the Romans are but sheep : 
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds. ^^•^ 

Those that with haste will make a mighty fire 
Begin it with weak straws : what trash is Rome, 
What rubbish and what offal, when it serves 
For the base matter to illuminate 

So vile a thing as Caesar ! But, grief, ^^® 

"Where hast thou led me ? I perhaps speak this 
Before a willing bondman ; then I know 
My answer must be made. But I am arm'd. 
And dangers are to me indifferent. 

Casca. You speak to Casca, and to such a man ^^° 
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold, my hand : 
Be factious for redress of all these griefs, 



Scene III] JULIUS CJE8AR 51 

And I will set this foot of mine as far 
As who goes farthest. 

Cos. There's a bargain made. ^^® 

Now know you, Casca, I have mov'd already 
Some certain of the noblest-minded Romans 
To undergo with me an enterprise 
Of honorable-dangerous consequence ; 
And I do know, by this, they stay for me ^^^ 

In Pompey 's porch : for now, this fearful night, 
There is no stir or walking in the streets ; 
And the complexion of the element 
Is favor 'd like the work we have in hand, 
Most bloody, fiery, and most terrible. ^^® 

Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in 
haste. 

Cas. 'T is Cinna ; I do know him by his gait ; 
He is a friend. 

Enter Cinna. 
Cinna, where haste you so? 

Cin. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus 
Cimber? ^*« 

Cas. No, it is Casca ; one incorporate 
To our attempts. Am I not stay'd for, Cinna? 

Cin. I am glad on 't. What a fearful night is this ! 
There 's two or three of us have seen strange sights. 

Cas. Am I not stay'd for? tell me. ^^^ 

Cin. Yes, you are. 

O Cassius, if you could 
But win the noble Brutus to our party — 

Cas. Be you content : good Cinna, take this paper. 
And look you lay it in the praetor 's chair, ^^^ 

Where Brutus may but find it ; and throw this 
In at his window ; set this up with wax 
Upon old Brutus ' statue : all this done, 



52 JULIUS C^SAR [Act I 

Kepair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find us. 

Is Decius Brutus and Trebonius there ? ^^^ 

Cin. All but Metellus Cimber ; and he 's gone 
To seek you at your house. Well, I will hie, 
And so bestow these papers as you bade me. 

Cas. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre. 

[Exit Cinna. 
Come, Casca, you and I will yet ere day ^®^ 

See Brutus at his house : three parts of him 
Is ours already, and the man entire 
Upon the next encounter yields him ours. 

Casca. 0, he sits high in all the people 's hearts : 
And that which would appear offence in us, *®^ 

His countenance, like richest alchemy, 
Will change to virtue and to worthiness. 

Cas. Him and his worth and our great need of him 
You have right well conceited. Let us go, 
For it is after midnight ; and ere day ^^® 

We will awake him and be sure of him. [Exeunt. 

Brutus had known neither peace nor rest since his conversa- 
tion with Cassius. Tormented by doubts and fears, he was unable 
to decide whether his duty demanded that he sacrifice Csesar to 
save Rome, or Rome to save Csesar. Suspicion once aroused finds 
proof of its worst fears, and Caesar's enemies took care all his 
faults and mistakes were known to Brutus. Each day brought 
the praetor letters, unsigned and written by different hands, urging 
him to action; while the artful speeches of Cassius had flattered 
him into believing that the people of Rome looked to him to save 
them from the bondage of kingly rule. He knew not what to do. 
The raging of the storm and his troubled conscience made sleep 
impossible, so arising from his bed he passed into the garden. 
The blackness of the night and the mutterings of the thunder 
and flashes of lightning only increased his doubt and foreboding, 
and deciding to seek comfort in the pages of a book, he called 
the lad who served him. 



ACT II 

Scene I. Borne. Brutus 's orchard. 

Enter Brutus. 

Bru. What, Lucius, ho ! 
I cannot by the progress of the stars, 
Give guess how near to day. Lucius, I say ! 
I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. 
When, Lucius, when? awake, I say! what, Lucius! " 

Enter Lucius. 

Luc. Call 'd you, my lord ? 

Bru. Get me a taper in my study, Lucius: 
"When it is lighted, come and call me here. 

Luc. I will, my lord. [Exit. 

Bru. It must be by his death : and, for my part, ^° 
I know no personal cause to spurn at him, 
But for the general. He would be crown 'd : 
How that might change his nature, there 's the question. 
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder ; 
And that craves wary walking. Crown him ? — that ; — ^^ 
And then, I grant, we put a sting in him. 
That at his will he may do danger with. 
The abuse of greatness is, when it disjoins 
Kemorse from power : and, to speak truth of Caesar, 
I have not known when his affections sway'd ^^ 

More than his reason. But 't is a common proof, 
That lowliness is young ambition 's ladder. 
Whereto the climber upward turns his face ; 
But when he once attains the upmost round. 
He then unto the ladder turns his back, ^^ 

53 



54 JULIUS C2ESAR [Act II 

Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees 

By which he did ascend. So Caesar may. 

Then, lest he may, prevent. And, since the quarrel 

Will bear no color for the thing he is. 

Fashion it thus ; that what he is, augmented, ^^ 

Would run to these and these extremities : 

And therefore think him as a serpent's egg 

Which, hatch 'd, would, as his kind, grow mischievous, 

And kill him in the shell. 

Re-enter Lucius. 

Luc. The taper burneth in your closet, sir. ^^ 

Searching the window for a flint, I found 
This paper, thus seal 'd up ; and, I am sure. 
It did not lie there when I went to bed. 

[Gives him the letter. 

Bru. Get you to bed again ; it is not day. 
Is not to-morrow, boy, the Ides of March ? *° 

Luc. I know not, sir. 

Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me word. 

Luc. I will, sir. [Exit. 

Bru. The exhalations whizzing in the air 
Give so much light that I may read by them. ^^ 

[Opens the letter and reads. 
** Brutus, thou sleep 'st: awake, and see thyself. 
Shall Rome, etc. Speak, strike, redress ! 
Brutus, thou sleep 'st: awake!" 
Such instigations have been often dropp'd 
Where I have took them up. ^^ 

"Shall Rome, etc." Thus must I piece it out: 
ShaU Rome stand under one man's awe? What, Rome? 
My ancestors did from the streets of Rome 
The Tarquin drive, when he was call'd a king. 
' ' Speak, strike, redress ! ' ' Am I entreated ^^ 

To speak and strike? Rome, I make thee promise: 



Scene I] JULIUS G2E8AR 55 

If the redress will follow, thou receivest 
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus ! 
Re-enter Lucius. 
Luc. Sir, March is wasted fifteen days. 

[Knocking within. 
Bru. 'T is good. Go to the gate ; somebody knocks. ^° 

[Exit Lucius. 
Since Cassius first did whet me against Ctesar, 
I have not slept. 

Between the acting of a dreadful thing 
And the first motion, all the interim is 
Like a phantasma, or a hideous dream : ^s 

The Genius and the mortal instruments 
Are then in council ; and the state of man, 
Like to a little kingdom, suffers then 
The nature of an insurrection. 

Re-enter Lucius. 
Luc. Sir, 't is your brother Cassius at the door, ^^ 
Who doth desire to see you. 
Bru- Is he alone? 

Luc. No, sir, there are more with him. 
^^^«- Do you know them? 

Luc. No, sir; their hats are pluck 'd about their 
ears, 75 

And half their faces buried in their cloaks, 
That by no means I may discover them 
By any mark of favor. 

J^^u- Let 'em enter. [Exit Lucius. 

They are the faction. O conspiracy, «« 

Sham 'st thou to show thy dang 'rous brow by night, 
When evils are most free? O, then by day 
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough 
To mask thy monstrous visage ? Seek none, conspiracy ; 
Hide it in smiles and affability : . ss 



56 JULIUS CESAR [Act II 

For if thou put thy native semblance on, 
Not Erebus itself were dim enough 
To hide thee from prevention. 

Ejiter the conspirators, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Cinna, 
Metellus Cimber, and Trebonius. 

Cas. I think we are too bold upon your rest : 
Good morrow, Brutus ; do we trouble you ? ^° 

Bru. I have been up this hour, awake all night. 
Know I these men that' come along with you ? 

Cas. Yes, every man of them, and no man here 
But honors you ; and every one doth wish 
You had but that opinion of yourself. ^^ 

Which every noble Eoman bears of you. 
This is Trebonius. 

Bru. He is welcome hither. 

Cas. This, Decius Brutus. 

Bru. He is welcome too. ^^^ 

Cas. This, Casca; this, Cinna; and this, Metellus 
Cimber. 

Bru. They are all welcome. 
What watchful cares do interpose themselves 
Betwixt your eyes and night? 

Cas. Shall I entreat a word? los 

[Brutus and Cassius whisper. 

Dec. Here lies the east : doth not the day break here ? 

Casca. No. 

Cin. O, pardon, sir, it doth ; and yon gray lines 
That fret the clouds are messengers of day. 

Casca. You shall confess that you are both deceiv 'd. ^^^ 
Here, as I point my sword, the sun arises, 
Which is a great way growing on the south. 
Weighing the youthful season of the year. 
Some two months hence up higher toward the north 
He first presents his fire ; and the high east ^^^ 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAR 57 

Stands, as the Capitol, directly here. 

Bt^iL Give me your hands all over, one by one. 

Cas. And let us swear our resolution. 

Brii. No, not an oath : if not the face of men, 
The sufferance of our souls, the time 's abuse, — ^^" 

If these be motives weak, break off betimes, 
And every man hence to his idle bed ; 
So let high-sighted tyranny range on, 
Till each man drop by lottery. But if these, 
As I am sure they do, bear fire enough "^ 

To kindle cowards and to steel with valor 
The melting spirits of women, then, countrymen, 
What need we any spur but our own cause, 
To prick us to redress? what other bond 
Than secret Romans, that have spoke the word, ^^^ 

And will not palter ? and what other oath 
Than honesty to honesty engag'd. 
That this shall be, or we will fall for it ? 
Swear priests and cowards and men cautelous, 
Old feeble carrions and such suffering souls ^^^ 

That welcome wrongs ; unto bad causes swear 
Such creatures as men doubt ; but do not stain 
The even virtue of our enterprise. 
Nor th ' insuppressive mettle of our spirits, 
To think that or our cause or our performance ^**^ 

Did need an oath. 

^ Cas. But what of Cicero? shall we sound him? 
I think he will stand very strong with us. 

Casca. Let us not leave him out. 

Cin. No, by no means. ^*^ 

Met. 0, let us have him, for his silver hairs 
Will purchase us a good opinion 
And buy men 's voices to commend our deeds : 
It shall be said, his judgment rul 'd our hands ; 



58 JULIUS C^SAR [Act II 

Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, ^^^ 

But all be buried in his gravity. 

Bru. 0, name him not : let us not break with him ; 
For he will never follow any thing 
That other men begin. 

Cas. Then leave him out. ^^^ 

Casca. Indeed he is not fit. 

Dec. Shall no man else be touched 'd but only Cgesar? 

Cas. Decius, well urg 'd : I think it is not meet 
Mark Antony, so well belov'd of Caesar, 
Should outlive Caesar : we shall find of him ^^° 

A shrewd contriver; and, you know, his means. 
If he improve them, may well stretch so far 
As to annoy us all : which to prevent. 
Let Antony and Caesar fall together. 

Bni. Our course will seem too bloody, Caius 
Cassius, ^^^ 

To cut the head off and then hack the limbs. 
Like wrath in death and envy afterwards; 
For Antony is but a limb of Caesar : 
Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers, Caius. 
We all stand up against the spirit of Caesar : ^^° 

And in the spirit of men there is no blood : 
0, that we then could come by Caesar's spirit, 
And not dismember Caesar! But, alas, 
Caesar must bleed for it! And, gentle friends, 
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfuUy; ^^* 

Let 's carve him as a dish fit for the gods. 
Not hew him as a carcass fit for hounds : 
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do. 
Stir up their servants to an act of rage, 
And after seem to chide 'em. This shall make '^^^ 

Our purpose necessary and not envious : 
"Which so appearing to the common eyes. 



Scene I] JULIUS G^SAR 59 

We shall be caU'd purgers, not murderers. 

And for Mark Antony, think not of him ; 

For he can do no more than Caesar's arm ^^^ 

When Caesar's head is off. 

Cos. Yet I fear him ; 

For in the ingrafted love he bears to Caesar — 

Bru, Alas, good Cassius, do not think of him : 
If he love Cagsar, all that he can do ^^° 

Is to himself, take thought and die for C^sar : 
And that were much he should ; for he is given 
To sports, to wildness and much company. 

Treh. There is no fear in him ; let him not die ; 
For he will live, and laugh at this hereafter. ^^^ 

[ Clock strikes. 

Bru. Peace! count the clock. 

Cas. The clock hath stricken three. 

Trel). 'T is time to part. 

Cos. But it is doubtful yet. 

Whether Caesar will come forth to-day, or no ; ^^^ 

For he is superstitious grown of late, 
Quite from the main opinion he held once 
Of fantasy, of dreams and ceremonies : 
It may be, these apparent prodigies, 
The unaccustom'd terror of this night, ^°^ 

And the persuasion of his augurers. 
May hold him from the Capitol to-day. 

Dec. Never fear that : if he be so resolv 'd, 
I can 'ersway him ; for he loves to hear 
That unicorns may be betray 'd with trees, ^^^ 

And bears with glasses, elephants with holes. 
Lions with toils and men with flatterers ; 
But when I tell him he hates flatterers, 
He says he does, being then most flattered. 
Let me v/ork ; 



60 JULIUS C/USAR [Act II 

For I can give his humor the true bent, 
And I will bring him to the Capitol. 

Cas. Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him. 

Bru. By the eighth hour : is that the uttermost ? 

Cin. Be that the uttermost, and fail not then. ^^'^ 

Met. Caius Ligarius doth bear Caesar hard, 
Who rated him for speaking well of Pompey : 
I wonder none of you have thought of him. 

Bru. Now, good Metellus, go along by him : 
He loves me well, and I have given him reasons ; ^^^ 

Send him but hither, and I'll fashion him. 

Cas. The morning comes upon 's: we'll leave you, 
Brutus. 
And, friends, disperse yourselves; but all remember 
What you have said, and show yourselves true Romans. 

Bru. Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily. ^^^ 
Let not our looks put on our purposes, 
But bear it as our Roman actors do. 
With untir'd spirits and formal constancy: 
And so good morrow to you every one. 

[Exeunt all hut Brutus. 
Boy ! Lucius ! Fast asleep ? It is no matter ; ^^^ 

Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber : 
Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies, 
Which busy care draws in the brains of men : 
Therefore thou sleep 'st so sound. 

Enter Portia. 

For. Brutus, my lord! ^^'^ 

Bru. Portia, what mean you ? wherefore rise you now ? 
It is not for your health thus to commit 
Your weak condition to the raw cold morning. 

For. Nor for yours neither. You 've ungently, 
Brutus, 
Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, ^45 



Scene I] JULIUS G^SAB 61 

You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, 
Musing and sighing, with your arms across, 
And when I ask 'd you what the matter was. 
You star 'd upon me with ungentle looks ; 
I urg'd you further; then you scratch 'd your head, ^50 
And too impatiently stamp 'd with your foot ; 
Yet I insisted; yet you answer 'd not, 
But, with an angry wafture of your hand, 
Gave sign for me to leave you : so I did ; 
Fearing to strengthen that impatience 255 

Which seem 'd too much enkindled, and withal 
Hoping it was but an effect of humor, 
Which sometimes hath his hour with every man. 
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep. 
And could it work so much upon your shape ^eo 

As it hath much prevail'd on your condition^ 
I should not know you, Brutus. Dear my lord. 
Make me acquainted with your cause of grief. 
Brn. I am not well in health, and that is all. 
For. Brutus is wise, and, were he not in health, ^es 
He would enbrace the means to come by it. 
Bru. Why, so I do. Good Portia, go to bed. 
For. Is Brutus sick ? and is it physical 
To walk unbraced and suck up the humors 
Of the dank morning ? What, is Brutus sick, 270 

And will he steal out of his wholesome bed, 
To dare the vile contagion of the night 
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air 
To add unto his sickness ? No, my Brutus ; 
You have some sick offence within your mind, ^75 

Which, by the right and virtue of my place, 
I ought to know of : and, upon my knees, 
I charge you, by my once-commended beauty, 
By all your vows of love and that great vow 



62 JULIUS C^SAB [Act II 

"Which did incorporate and make us one, ^^^ 

That you unfold to me, yourself, your half, 

Why you are heavy, and what men to-night 

Have had resort to you : for here have been 

Some six or seven, who did hide their faces 

Even from darkness. ^^^ 

Bru. Kneel not, gentle Portia. 

Pot. I should not need, if you were gentle Brutus. 
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus, 
Is it excepted I should know no secrets 
That appertain to you ? Am I yourself ^^° 

But, as it were, in sort or limitation. 

Bru. You are my true and honorable wife, 
As dear to me as are the ruddy drops 
That visit my sad heart. 

For. If this were true, then should I know this 
secret. ^^^ 

I grant I am a woman ; but withal 
A woman that Lord Brutus took to wife : 
I grant I am a woman ; but withal 
A woman well-reputed, Cato's daughter. 
Think you I am no stronger than my sex, ^°" 

Being so father 'd and so husbanded ? 
Tell me your counsels, I will not disclose 'em : 
I have made strong proof of my constancy, 
Giving myself a voluntary wound 

Here, in the thigh : can I bear that with patience, ^^^ 
And not my husband 's secrets ? 

Bru, ye gods. 

Render me worthy of this noble wife ! [Knocking within. 
Hark, hark ! one knocks : Portia, go in awhile ; 
And by and by thy bosom shall partake ®^° 

The secret's of my heart. 
All my engagements I will construe to thee, 



Scene I] JULIUS CJESAR 63 

All the charactery of my sad brows : 
Leave me with haste. [Exit Portia.] Lucius, who 's 
that knocks? 

Re-enter Lucrus with Ligarius. 

Luc, Here is a sick man that would speak with you. ^^^ 

Bru. Caius Ligarius, that Metellus spake of. 
Boy, stand aside. Caius Ligarius ! how ? 

Lig. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. 

Bru. 0, what a time have you chose out, brave Caius, 
To wear a kerchief ! Would you were not sick ! ^^^ 

Lig. I am not sick, if Brutus have in hand- 
Any exploit worthy the name of honor. 

Bru. Such an exploit have I in hand, Ligarius, 
Had you a healthful ear to hear of it. 

Lig. By all the gods that Romans bow before, ^^^ 
I here discard my sickness ! Soul of Rome ! 
Brave son, deriv'd from honorable loins! 
Thou, like an exorcist, hast conjur'd up 
My mortified spirit. Now bid me run, 
And I will strive with things impossible ; ^^^ 

Yea, get the better of them. What 's to do ? 

Bru. A piece of work that will make sick men whole. 

Lig. But are not some whole that we must make sick ? 

Bru. That must we also. What it is, my Caius, 
I shall unfold to thee, as we are going ^^^ 

To whom it must be done. 

Lig. Set on your foot. 

And with a heart new-fir 'd I follow you, 
To do I know not what : but it sufficeth 
That Brutus leads me on. 

Bru. Follow me, then. [Exeunt. ^^^ 

It was the Ides of March. The dawn's breaking was a relief 
to the terrified citizens of Rome, although now and then there 
was yet to be heard the rumbling of the thunder. But gradually 



64 JULIUS C^SAB [Act II 

Scene II. Cesar's house. 
Thunder and lightning. Enter C^sar in his night-gown. 

Cess. Nor heaven nor earth have been at peace to- 
night : 
Thrice hath Calpurnia in her sleep cried out, 
* * Help ! ho ! they murder Caesar ! ' ' Who 's within ? 
Enter a Servant. 

Serv. My lord? 

Cces, Go bid the priests do present sacrifice ® 

And bring me their opinions of success. 

Serv. I will, my lord. [Exit. 

Enter Calpurnia. 

Cal. What mean you, Csesar ? think you to walk forth ? 
You shall not stir out of your house to-day. 

Cces. Csesar shall forth : the things that threaten 'd ^" 
me 
Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see 
The face of Caesar, they are vanished. 

Cal. Caesar, I never stood on ceremonies, 
Yet now they fright me. There is one within, 
Besides the things that we have heard and seen, ^^ 

Eecounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. 
. . . graves have yawn 'd, and yielded up their dead ; 

it grew fainter, the sky cleared and the day shone fresh and 
bright, nature appearing all the more glowing and brilliant after 
indulging to the full the fury of her wrath. It would seem as 
if she were sharing in the conspiracy planned under cover of 
her darkness; her calm radiance dispelling fears and inviting 
confidence, like the smiling faces of the men pledged to crime. 
But the people, filled with fear and superstition, could not forget 
the terrors of the night past. Strange sights and unusual experi- 
ences had taken on fresh horror with repeated telling, and still 
loomed hideous, not even the light of day serving to dispel their 
terror. 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAB 65 

Fierce fiery warriors fought upon the clouds, 

In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, 

Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol; ^^ 

The noise of battle hurtled in the air, 

Horses did neigh, and dying men did groan, 

And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. 

O Caesar ! these things are beyond all use, 

And I do fear them. 25 

C(^s. What can be avoided 

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? 
Yet Cgesar shall go forth; for these predictions 
Are to the world in general as to Caesar. 

Cal. When beggars die, there are no comets seen ; ^° 
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes. 

CcBS. Cowards die many times before their deaths ; 
The valiant never taste of death but once. 
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard. 
It seems to me most strange that men should fear ; ^^ 
Seeing that death, a necessary end, 
Will come when it will come. 

Be-enter Servant. 

What say the augurers? 

Serv. They would not have you to stir forth to-day : 
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth, *° 

They could not find a heart within the beast. 

CcBs. The gods do this in shame of cowardice : 
Caesar should be a beast without a heart, 
If he should stay at home to-day for fear. 
No, Caesar shall not: danger knows full well *^ 

That Caesar is more dangerous than he: 
We are two lions litter 'd in one day, 
And I the elder and more terrible: 
And Cassar shall go forth. 

Cal. Alas, my lord, ^^ 



66 JULIUS C^SAR [Act II 

Your wisdom is consum'd in confidence. 

Do not go forth to-day : call it my fear 

That keeps you in the house, and not your own. 

We'll send Mark Antony to the senate-house; 

And he shall say you are not well to-day : ^^ 

Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this. 

Cces. Mark Antony shall say I am not well; 
And, for thy humor, I will stay at home. 

Enter Decius. 
Here 's Decius Brutus, he shall tell them so. 

Dec. Caesar, all hail ! good morrow, worthy Csesar : ^° 
I come to fetch you to the senate-house. 

CcEs. And you are come in very happy time, 
To bear my greetings to the senators 
And tell them that I will not come to-day : 
Cannot is false, and that I dare not, falser : ®^ 

I will not come to-day: tell them so, Decius. 
Cal. Say he is sick. 

Cces. Shall Caesar send a lie ? 

Have I in conquest stretch 'd mine arm so far, 
To be afeard to tell graybeards the truth? ^"^ 

Decius, go tell them Cagsar will not come. 

Dec. Most mighty Caesar, let me know some cause. 
Lest I be laugh 'd at when I tell them so. 

Cces. The cause is in my will : I will not come ; 
That is enough to satisfy the senate. ''^ 

But for your private satisfaction, 
Because I love you, I will let you know : 
Calpurnia here, my wife, stays me at home : 
She dreamt to-night she saw my statua, 
"Which, like a fountain with an hundred spouts, ^* 

Did run pure blood ; and many lusty Romans 
Came smiling, and did bathe their hands in it : 
And these does she apply for warnings, and portents, 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 67 

And evils imminent ; and on her knee 

Hath begg 'd that I will stay at home to-day. ^^ 

Dec. This dream is all amiss interpreted; 
It was a vision fair and fortunate : 
Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, 
In which so many smiling Romans bath'd, 
Signifies that from you great Rome shall suck ®® 

Reviving blood, and that great men shall press 
For tinctures, stains, relics and cognizance. 
This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. 

Ccus. And this way have you well expounded it. 

Dec. I have, when you have heard what I can say ; ^^ 
And know it now: the senate have concluded 
To give this day a crown to mighty C^sar. 
If you shall send them word you will not come. 
Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock 
Apt to be render 'd, for some one to say, ^^^ 

Break up the senate till another time, 
When CcEsar's wife shall meet ivith better dreams. 
If Cgesar hide himself, shall they not whisper 
Lo, Ccesar is afraid? 

Pardon me, Caesar ; for my dear dear love ^°^ 

To your proceeding bids me tell you this ; 
And reason to my love is liable. 

C(£S. How foolish do your fears seem now, Calpumia ! 
I am ashamed I did yield to them. 
Give me my robe, for I will go. ^^^ 

Enter Publius, Brutus, Ligarius, Metellus, Casca, 
Trebonius and Cinna. 
And look where Publius is come to fetch me. 

Fub. Good morrow, Caesar. 

CcBS. Welcome, Publius. 

What, Brutus, are you stirr 'd so early too ? 
Good morrow, Casca. Caius Ligarius, "® 



68 JULIUS C^SAR [Act II 

Cffisar was ne'er so much your enemy 

As that same ague which hath made you lean. 

What is 't o'clock? 

Brii. Caesar, 't is strucken eight. 

C(BS. I thank you for your pains and courtesy. ^^^ 
Enter Antony. 
See ! Antony, that revels long o ' nights, 
Is notwithstanding up. Good morrow, Antony. 

Ant. So to most noble Cagsar. 

CcFS. Bid them prepare within: 

I am to blame to be thus waited for. ^^^ 

Now, Cinna : now, Metellus : what, Trebonius ! 
I have an hour's talk in store for you; 
Eemember that you call on me to-day : 
Be near me, that I may remember you. 

Treh. Csesar, I will: [Aside] and so near will I be, ^^^ 
That your best friends shall wish I had been further. 

Cces. Good friends, go in, and taste some wine with 
me; 
And we, like friends, will straightway go together. 

Bru. [Aside.] That every like is not the same, 
Caesar, 
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon ! ^^^ 

[Exeunt. 

Scene III. A street near the Capitol. 

Probably the only man in Rome, besides the conspirators, who 
had any knowledge of the crime to be perpetrated that day was 
Artemidorus, a teacher of Greek philosophy. He numbered among 
his pupils many of the foremost young men of the capital and 
doubtless from one of them had received a hint of the conspiracy. 
Loyal to Csesar, he determined to warn him, but was in doubt 
how to accomplish his purpose. He first thought of telling him 
of the danger threatening, but, owing to the difficulty of obtaining 
an audience with the Great Dictator, soon abandoned this plan. 



Scene IV] JULIUS CMSAR 69 

After careful meditation, he decided to write a letter, wording 
it as briefly and directly as possible. 

Afraid to entrust his precious message to another, Artemidorus 
determined to deliver it to Caesar himself, and early started for 
the senate-house, his way chancing to lead by the home of Brutus. 
As he slowly walked along the old philosopher thoughtfully read 
and pondered the message he had written. 

Enter Aktemidorus, reading a paper. 

Art. Caesar, beware of Brutus; take heed of Cassius*, come 
not near Casca; have an eye to Cinna; trust not Trebonius; 
mark well Metellus Cimber: Decius Brutus loves thee not: thou 
hast wronged Caius Ligarius. There is but one mind in all these 
men, and it is bent against Caesar. If thou be'st not immortal, ^ 
look about you: security gives way to conspiracy. The mighty 
gods defend thee! Thy lover, Abtemidoeus. 

Here will I stand till Cagsar pass along, 

And as a suitor will I give him this. ^° 

My heart laments that virtue cannot live 

Out of the teeth of emulation. 

If you read this, Caesar, thou mayst live ; 

If not, the Fates with traitors do contrive. [Exit. 

Scene IV. Another part of the same street, before the 
house of Brutus. 

Enter Portia and Lucius. 

Por. I prithee, boy, run to the senate-house ; 
Stay not to answer me, but get thee gone : 
Why dost thou stay ? 

True to his word, before leaving home that morning Brutus 
had confided to Portia the conspirators' plan, and the part he 
was to take in it. Little had she suspected a secret of that 
nature, and her horror of the deed no less than her fear for 
Brutus had almost exhausted her endurance. Wrought to the 
most intense pitch by anxiety and suspense, she found it impos- 



70 JULIUS O^SAB [Act II 

Luc. To know my errand, madam. 

Por. I would have had thee there, and here again, ^ 
Ere I can tell thee what thou shouldst do there. 

constancy, be strong upon my side. 

Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue ! 

1 have a man 's mind, but a woman 's might. 

How hard it is for women to keep counsel ! ^^ 

Art thou here yet ? 

Luc. Madam, what should I do? 

Run to the Capitol, and nothing else? 
And so return to you, and nothing else ? 

Por. Yes, bring me word, boy, if thy lord look well. ^^ 
For he went sickly forth : and take good note 
What Caesar doth, what suitors press to him. 
Hark, boy! what noise is that? 

Luc. I hear none, madam. 

Por. Prithee, listen well; ^° 

I heard a bustling rumor, like a fray, 
And the wind brings it from the Capitol. 

Luc. Sooth, madam, I hear nothing. 
Enter Artemidorus. 

Por. Come hither, fellow : which way hast thou been ? 

Art. At mine own house, good lady. ^° 

Por. What is 't o'clock? 

Art. About the ninth hour, lady. 

Por. Is Caesar yet gone to the Capitol? 

Art. Madam, not yet : I go to take my stand, 
To see him pass on to the Capitol. ^^ 

sible to remain longer within the house and passed into the 
street. She started with every sound, the murmuring breath of 
the wind seeming to her over-strained ears to bear the sounds of 
that dreaded affray. Unable longer to endupe the suspense of 
uncertainty, she summoned Lucius, intending to dispatch him on 
some trivial errand to the eapitol. 



Scene IV] JULIUS C^SAR 71 

Por. Thou hast some suit to Csesar, hast thou not? 

Art. That I have, lady : if it will please Caesar 
To be so good to Caesar as to hear me, 
I shall beseech him to befriend himself. 

Por. Why, know'st thou any harm's intended to- 
wards him? 2^ 

Art. None that I know will be, much that I fear may 
chance. 
Good morrow to you. Here the street is narrow : 
The throng that follows Caesar at the heels. 
Of senators, of praetors, common suitors, 
Will crowd a feeble man almost to death : *^ 

I'll get me to a place more void, and there 
Speak to great Caesar as he comes along. [Exit. 

Por. I must go in. Ay me, how weak a thing 
The heart of woman is ! O Brutus, 
The heavens speed thee in thine enterprise ! *^ 

[To herself.] Sure, the boy heard me: [To Lucms] 

Brutus hath a suit 
That Caesar will not grant. 0, I grow faint! 
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my lord ; 
Say I am merry: come to me again, 
And bring me word what he doth say to thee. ^^ 

[Exeunt severally. 



ACT III 

Scene I. Rome. Before the Capitol. 

A crowd of people; among them Abtemidorus and the 
Soothsayer. Flourish. Enter C^sar, Brutus, Cas- 
sius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Trebonius, Cinna, 
Antony, Lepidus, Popilius, Publius, and others. 

Cces. [To the Soothsayer.] The ides of March are 

come. 
Sooth. Ay, Cagsar ; but not gone. 

Caesar's superstitious fears of the night had been dispelled by 
the pleasantries of his early guests, and surrounded by these 
traitorous friends, who had smilingly partaken of his hospitality, 
he started for the senate-house. Save for the thoughtful, troubled 
countenance of Brutus, there was nothing unusual in the manner 
of any of these men, each of whom was armed and fully prepared 
to perform his part in the day's deed. 

It was forbidden by law to take arms into the senate-house, 
but as this was before the discovery of paper, each senator was 
provided with an iron stylus used to write on the wax tablets 
on which they kept their records, and in the cases used to carry 
these the conspirators had concealed their weapons. 

The deed itself had been so carefully planned by Cassius, 
there was little possibility of its miscarrying. Upon Trebonius 
had devolved the duty of getting Antony out of the senate-house 
on any possible pretext which might occur to him. As soon as 
the meeting was called to order Metellus Cimber was to present 
to Caesar a petition asking for the pardon and restoration of his 
brother Publius. Brutus and Cassius were then to urge their 
pleas for the exile, Decius adding his request to theirs. At a 
given signal Casca, who was to gradually draw near as if await- 
ing an opportunity to press his suit, was to give the first blow. 
They had decided upon this particular petition because they 
knew it would not only never be granted, but that their per- 
sistent and urgent appeals would anger Caesar. 

72 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAR 73 

Art. Hail, Caesar! read this schedule. 

Dec. Trebonius doth desire you to o'er-read, 
At your best leisure, this his humble suit. ® 

Art. O Caesar, read mine first; for mine's a suit 
That touches Caesar nearer: read it, great Caesar. 

Cces. What touches us ourself shall be last serv 'd. 

Art. Delay not, Caesar; read it instantly. 

Cces. What, is the fellow mad? ^<* 

Pub. Sirrah, give place. 

Cos. What, urge you your petitions in the street? 
Come to the Capitol. 
Scene changes to the Senate-House, the Senate sitting. 

Enter C^sar with his train, the conspirators, and 



Pop. I wish your enterprise to-day may thrive. 

Cas. What enterprise, Popilius? ^^ 

Pop. Fare you well. 

[Advances to Ccesar. 

Bru. What said Popilius Lena? 

Cas. He wish'd to-day our enterprise might thrive. 
I fear our purpose is discovered. 

Bru. Look, how he makes to Csesar: mark him. ^^ 

Cas. Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. 
Brutus, what shall be done? If this be known, 
Cassius or Caesar never shall turn back, 
For I will slay myself. 

Bru. Cassius, be constant: ^* 

Popilius Lena speaks not of our purposes ; 
For, look, he smiles, and Caesar doth not change. 

Cas. Trebonius knows his time ; for, look you, Brutus, 
He draws Mark Antony out of the way. 

[Exeunt Antony and Trebonius. 

Dec. Where is Metellus Cimber ? Let him go, ^^ 

And presently prefer his suit to Caesar. 



74 JULIUS a^SAR [Act III 

Bru. He is address 'd: press near and second him. 

Cin. Casca, you are the first that rears your hand. 

Casca. Are we all ready? 

Ca^s. What is now amiss ^^ 

That Cagsar and his senate must redress? 

Met. Most high, most mighty, and most puissant 
Caesar, 
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat 
An humble heart, — [Kneeling. 

Cces. I must prevent thee, Cimber. *" 

These couchings and these lowly courtesies 
Might fire the blood of ordinary men. 
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree 
Into the play of children. Be not fond. 
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood ^^ 

That will be thaw'd from the true quality 
With that which melteth fools ; I mean, sweet words, 
Low-crooked court 'sies and base spaniel-fawning. 
Thy brother by decree is banished : 

If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him, ^^ 

I spurn thee like a cur out of my way. 
Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause 
Will he be satisfied. 

Met. Is there no voice more worthy than my own. 
To sound more sweetly in great Cesar's ear ^^ 

For the repealing of my banish 'd brother? 

Bru. I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar ; 
Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may 
Have an immediate freedom of repeal. 

CcBs. What, Brutus! ^° 

Cos. Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon: 

As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall, 
To beg enfranchisement for Publius Cimber. 

Cces. I could be well mov 'd, if I were as you : 



70 



75 



80 



Scene I] JULIUS CJE8AR 75 

If I could pray to move, prayers would move me : ®^ 

But' I am constant as the northern star, 

Of whose true-fix 'd and resting quality 

There is no fellow in the firmament. 

The skies are painted with unnumber 'd sparks, 

They are all fire and every one doth shine ; 

But there's but one in all doth hold his place: 

So in the world; 't is furnish 'd well with men. 

And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive ; 

Yet in the number I do know but one 

That unassailable holds on his rank, 

Unshak'd of motion: and that I am he, 

Let me a little show it, even in this ; 

That I was constant Cimber should be banish 'd, 

And constant do remain to keep him so. 

Cin. O Cagsar, — 

C(BS. Hence ! wilt thou lift up Olympus ? 

Bee. Great Caesar, — 

CcEs. Doth not Brutus bootless kneel? 

Casca. Speak, hands, for me ! 

[Casca and the other Conspirators stah Ccesar. 

CcFS. Et tu, Brute! Then fall, C^sar! [Dies. '" 

Closer and closer they had pressed about Caesar, their appeals 
purposely taking a form they knew to be most distasteful to him. 
Angered at last by their persistence, he impatiently arose from 
his chair and waved them back. It was the moment for which 
they had been waiting, and Metellus Cimber hastily pulled 
Caesar's cloak from his shoulders. Casca, who was standing 
behind, then spoke and at the same time stabbed Caesar in the 
back of the neck. The wound was but slight, and catching the 
handle of the dagger, Caesar cried out to Casca, who called to 
the other conspirators. All was confusion. The suddenness of 
the attack, and the manner of it, rendered those who would have 
given aid powerless. Quickly acting upon the signal of their 
leader, the other conspirators hurled themselves upon Caesar with 
drawn daggers. He threw himself from side to side, in an in 



76 JULIUS CMSAR [Act III 

Gin. Liberty! Freedom! Tyranny is dead! 
Run hence, proclaim, cry it about the streets. 

Cos. Some to the common pulpits, and cry out 
** Liberty, freedom, and enfranchisement!" 

Bvw. People and senators be not affrighted; ^^ 

Fly not ; stand still : ambition 's debt is paid. 

Casca. Go to the pulpit, Brutus. 

Dec. And Cassius too. 

Bru. Where 's Publius ? 

Cin. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny. ^^ 

Met. Stand fast together, lest some friend of Caesar 's 
Should chance — 

Bru. Talk not of standing. Publius, good cheer ; 
There is no harm intended to your person. 
Nor to no Roman else : so tell them, Publius. ^^^ 

Cos. And leave us, Publius ; lest that the people, 
Rushing on us, should do your age some mischief. 

Bru. Do so : and let no man abide this deed, 
But we the doers. 

Be-enter Trebonius. 

Cos. "Where is Antony ^°^ 

Treh. Fled to his house amaz'd: 
Men, wives and children stare, cry out and run 
As it were doomsday. 

Bru. Fates, we will- know your pleasures: 

stinet of self-preservation, resisting their attack as best he could 
with his iron stylus, which he thrust into the arm of one of his 
assailants. It is said he continued to defend himself until 
attacked by Brutus, then throwing his robe over his face, he 
cried, "Thou, too, Brutus!" and fell at the base of Pompey's 
statue, pierced by twenty-three wounds. 

The senators and people who had been watching the progress 
of this unexpected assault with fascinated horror, retired in wild 
confusion as Csesar fell, not knowing who might be the next 
victim. 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAB 77 

That we shall die, we know ; 't is but the time "° 

And drawing days out, that men stand upon. 

Cos. "Why, he that cuts off twenty years of life 
Cuts off so many years of fearing death. 

Bru. Grant that, and then is death a benefit : 
So are we Caesar's friends, that have abridg'd ^^^ 

His time of fearing death. Stoop, Romans, stoop. 
And let us bathe our hands in Csesar's blood 
Up to the elbows, and besmear our swords : 
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place, 
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads, ^^o 

Let's all cry Peace, freedom and liberty! 

Cos. Stoop, then, and wash. How many ages hence 
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over 
In states unborn and accents yet unknown ! 

Bru. How many times shall Cassar bleed in sport, ^^^ 
That now on Pompey 's basis lies along 
No worthier than the dust ! 

Gas. So oft as that shall be. 

So often shall the knot of us be call 'd 
The men that gave their country liberty. ^^° 

Dec. What, shall we forth ? 

Cas. Ay, every man away ; 

Brutus shall lead ; and we will grace his heels 
"With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. 
Enter a Servant. 

Bru. Soft ! who comes here ? A friend of Antony's. ^^^ 

Serv. Thus, Brutus, did my master bid me kneel ; 
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down ; 
And, being prostrate, thus he bade me say: 
Brutus is noble, wise, valiant, and honest ; 
Caesar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving : ^^^^ 

Say I love Brutus, and I honor him ; 
Say I fear'd Caesar, honor 'd him and lov'd him. 



78 JULIUS C^SAR [Act III 

If Brutus will vouchsafe that Antony 

May safely come to him, and be resolv 'd 

How Cassar hath deserv'd to lie in death, ^*^ 

Mark Antony shall not love Caesar dead 

So well as Brutus living; but will follow 

The fortunes and aifairs of noble Brutus 

Thorough the hazards of this untrod state 

"With all true faith. So says my master Antony. ^^^ 

Bru. Thy master is a wise and valiant Roman; 
I never thought him worse. 
Tell him, so please him come unto this place, 
He shall be satisfied ; and, by my honor, 
Depart untouch 'd. ^^^ 

Serv. I'll fetch him presently. [Exit. 

Bru. I know that we shall have him well to friend. 

Cas. 1 wish we may : but yet have I a mind 
That fears him much ; and my misgiving still 
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. ^^° 

Bru. But here comes Antony. 

Be-enter Antony. 

Welcome, Mark Antony. 

Ant. mighty Caesar! dost thou lie so low? 
Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, 
Shrunk to this little measure? Fare thee well. 
I know not, gentlemen, what you intend, ^^^ 

Who else must be let blood, who else is rank : 
If I myself, there is no hour so fit 
As Csesar's death hour, nor no instrument 
Of half that worth as those your swords, made rich 
With the most noble blood of all this world. ^^^ 

I do beseech ye, if you bear me hard. 
Now, whilst your purpled hands do reek and smoke, 
Fulfil your pleasure. Live a thousand years, 
I shall not find myself so apt to die : 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAB 79 

No place will please me so, no mean of death, ^^^ 

As here by Caesar, and by you cut off. 
The choice and master spirits of this age. 

Bru. O Antony, beg not your death of us. 
Though now we must appear bloody and cruel, 
As, by our hands and this our present act, , ^^^ 

You see we do, yet see you but our hands 
And this the bleeding business they have done : 
Our hearts you see not ; they are pitiful ; 
And pity to the general wrong of Rome — 
As fire drives out fire, so pity pity — ^^^ 

Hath done this deed on Caesar. * For your part, 
To you our swords have leaden points, Mark Antony : 
Our arms, in strength of malice, and our hearts 
Of brothers' temper, do receive you in 
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence. '^" 

Cas. Your voice shall be as strong as any man 's 
In the disposing of new dignities. 

Bru. Only be patient till we have appeas'd 
The multitude, beside themselves with fear, 
And then we will deliver you the cause, ^^^ 

Why I, that did love C^sar when I struck him. 
Have thus proceeded. 

Ant. I doubt not of your wisdom. 

Let each man render me his bloody hand : 
First, Marcus Brutus, will I shake with you ; ^^'^ 

Next, Caius Cassius, do I take your hand ; 
Now, Decius Brutus, yours; now yours, Metellus; 
Yours, Cinna ; and, my valiant Casca, yours ; 
Though last, not least in love, yours, good Trebonius. 
Gentlemen all,— alas, what shall I say ? ^°^ 

My credit now stands on such slippery ground. 
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me. 
Either a coward or a flatterer. 



80 JULIUS C^SAR [Act III 

That I did love thee, C^sar, 0, 't is true : 

If then thy spirit look upon us now, ^^" 

Shall it not grieve thee dearer than thy death, 

To see thy Antony making his peace, 

Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes, 

Most noble ! in the presence of thy corse ? 

Had I as many eyes as thou hast wounds, ^^^ 

Weeping as fast as they stream forth thy blood, 

It would become me better than to close 

In terms of friendship with thine enemies. 

Pardon me, Julius! Here wast thou bay'd, brave hart; 

Here didst thou fall ; and'here thy hunters stand, ^^° 

Sign'd in thy spoil, and crimson 'd in thy lethe. 

O world, thou wast the forest to this hart ; 

And this, indeed, world, the heart of thee. 

How like a deer, strucken by many princes, 

Dost thou here lie ! ^^^ 

Cos. Mark Antony, — 

Ant. Pardon me, Caius Cassius ; 

The enemies of Caesar shall say this ; 
Then, in a friend, it is cold modesty. 

Cas. I blame you not for praising Caesar so ; ^^^ 

But what compact mean you to have with us ? 
Will you be prick 'd in number of our friends ; 
Or shall we on, and not depend on you? 

Ant. Therefore I took your hands, but was, indeed, 
Sway'd from the point, by looking down on Caesar. ^^^ 
Friends am I with you all and love you all. 
Upon this hope, that you shall give me reasons 
Why and wherein Caesar was dangerous. 

BriL Or else were this a savage spectacle : 
Our reasons are so full of good regard ^^^ 

That w^ere you, Antony, the son of Caesar, 
You should be satisfied. 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAB 



81 



Ant That's all I seek: 

And am moreover suitor that I may 
Produce his body to the market-place ; 245 

And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend, 
Speak in the order of his funeral. 

Bru. You shall, Mark Antony. 

Cfl^. Brutus, a word with you. 

[Aside to Bru.] You know not what you do: do not 
consent 250 

That Antony speak in his funeral : 
Know you how much the people may be mov 'd 
By that which he will utter ? 

Bru. By your pardon ; 

I will myself into the pulpit first, 255 

And show the reason of our Cagsar 's death : 
What Antony shall speak, I will protest 
He speaks by leave and by permission, 
And that we are contented Caesar shall 
Have all true rites and lawful ceremonies. ^eo 

It shall advantage more than do us wrong. 

Cas. I know not what may fall ; I like it not. 

Bru. Mark Antony, here, take you Csesar's body. 
You shall not in your funeral speech blame us, 
But speak all good you can devise of Caesar, ^es 

And say you do 't by our permission ; 
Else shall you not have any hand at all 
About his funeral : and you shall speak 
In the same pulpit whereto I am going, 
After my speech is ended. 270 

Ant. Be it so ; 

I do desire no more. 

Bru. Prepare the body then, and follow us. 

[Exeunt all hut Antony. 

Ant. 0, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, 



82 JULIUS C^SAB [Act III 

That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! ^^^^ 

Thou art the ruins of the noblest man 

That ever lived in the tide of times. 

Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood ? 

Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, — 

"Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, ^^^ 

To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue — 

A curse shall light upon the limbs of men ; 

Domestic fury and fierce civil strife 

Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ; 

Blood and destruction shall be so in use ^^^ 

And dreadful objects so familiar 

That mothers shall but smile when they behold 

Their infants quarter 'd with the hands of war; 

All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds: 

And Cesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, ^90 

With Ate by his side come hot from hell. 

Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice 

Cry ''Havoc," and let slip the dogs of war; 

That this foul deed shall smell above the earth 

With carrion men, groaning for burial. 295 

Enter a Servant. 

You serve Octavius Cgesar, do you not? 

Serv. I do, Mark Antony. 

Ant. Cffisar did write for him to come to Rome. 

Serv. He did receive his letters, and is coming ; 
And bid me say to you by word of mouth — ^°® 

Cffisar !— [Seeing the lody. 

Ant, Thy heart is big, get thee apart and weep. 
Passion, I see, is catching ; for mine eyes. 
Seeing those beads of sorrow stand in thine, 
Began to water. Is thy master coming ? ^"^ 

Serv. He lies to-night within seven leagues of Rome. 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAR g3 

Ant. Post back with speed, and tell him what hath 
chanc 'd : 
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome, 
No Rome of safety for Octavius yet ; 
Hie hence, and tell him so. Yet, stay awhile ; ^lo 

Thou shalt not back till I have borne this corse 
Into the market-place : there shall I try, 
In my oration, how the people take 
The cruel issue of these bloody men ; 
According to the which, thou shalt discourse ^is 

To young Octavius of the state of things. 
Lend me your hand. [Exeunt with Ccesar's body. 

Scene II. The Forum. 
Enter Brutus and Cassius, and a throng of Citizens. 

Citizens. We will be satisfied; let us be satisfied. 

Bru. Then follow me, and give me audience, friends. 
Cassius, go you into the other street, 
And part the numbers. 
Those that will hear me speak, let 'em stay here ; ^ 

The perpetrators of crime seldom fail to omit from their plans 
some one thing of such importance that it eventually leads to their 
undoing. Whether this is due to chance or Eternal Justice we 
do not know, but it stamps crime as stupid, for in the end right 
prevails. Thus while the conspirators had carefully arranged 
every detail of their assault on Caesar, they had neglected to 
make any provision for continuing the government of Eome, which 
was now without a head. 

Everywhere was confusion. Singly and in groups the people 
were making their way toward the senate-house and the Forum. 
All business had been suspended: workmen dropped their tools; 
servants left unfinished duties; slaves abandoned their tasks, and 
all hurried into the street. Those who had just heard the news 
were seeking information from those who had witnessed the deed 
or talked with some one who had. Slaves spoke to great patricians 



84 JULIUS CJSSAB [Act III 

Those that will follow Cassius, go with him ; 
And public reason shall be rend 'red 
Of Cgesar's death. 

First at. I will hear Brutus speak. 

Sec. Git. I will hear Cassius; and compare their 
reasons, ^^ 

When severally we hear them rend 'red. 

[Exit Cassius, with some of the Citizens. Brutus goes 
into the pulpit. 

Third Cit. The noble Brutus is ascended : silence ! 

Bru. Be patient till the last. 
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my 

and noblemen addressed mechanics, for that leveler of humanity, 
a common sorrow, had borne down the lines of caste. 

The conspirators passed from the senate-chamber into the 
streets of the panic-stricken city, carrying their unshielded dag- 
gers in their blood-stained hands. Wisely had they chosen Brutus 
to lead their little band, for the other senators were none too 
popular with the people; but he was held almost as dear as the 
dead Caesar. The throng quietly gave way for them to pass on 
to the Forum, then hastened after them. It was the assembly 
place of the people on all great occasions. Many a time had 
they gathered there to hear Csesar; now Brutus was hastening 
hither to tell them why he and his confederates had deemed it 
to the interest of the people, and the world at large, to take the 
life of that same Caesar. 

It was not a loud or clamorous multitude awaiting the con- 
spirators at the Forum, for the people had not yet reached that 
point of excitement. Still suffering from the shock of their 
surprise, they were not able to realize Csesar was dead. But 
their very silence and orderliness, low spoken words and grief- 
filled faces told of passions that, once released, would not be 
checked until they had satisfied to the full their wrath and desire 
for revenge. The sight of the conspirators with their red hands, 
stained robes and daggers aroused them to a realization of what 
had happened, and their low-spoken words gave place to suUew 
mutterings, their mutterings to bold demands for reasons of the 
deed. 



Scene IIJ JULIUS C^SAB 85 

cause, and be silent, that yon may hear: believe me ^^ 
for mine honor, and have respect to mine honor, 
that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, 
and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. 
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of 
Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was ^° 
no less than his. If then that friend demand why 
Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: — 
Not that I lov'd Cgesar less, but that I lov'd Rome 
more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all 
slaves, than that C^sar were dead, to live all free men ? ^^ 
As Caesar lov'd me, I weep for him; as he was fortu- 
nate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honor him: 
but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears 
for his love; joy for his fortune; honor for his valor; 
and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that ^° 
would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have 
I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be 
a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. 
Who is here so vile that will not love his country? 
If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for 
a reply. ^^ 

All. None, Brutus, none. 

Bru. Then none have I offended. I have done no 
more to Csesar than you shall do to Brutus. The 
question of his death is enroll 'd in the Capitol; his 
glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his *° 
offences enforced, for which he suffered death. 

Enter Antony and others, with Cesar's body. 
Here comes his body, mourn 'd by Mark Antony: who, 
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive the 
benefit of his dying, a place in the commonwealth; as 
which of you shall not? With this I depart, — that, *^ 
as I slew my best lover for the good of Rome, I have 



86 JULIUS C.^SAR [Act III 

the same dagger for myself, when it shall please my 
country to need my death. 

All. Live, Brutus ! live, live ! 

First at. Bring him with triumph home unto his 
house. ^^ 

Sec. Cit. Give him a statue with his ancestors. 

Third Cit. Let him be Caesar. 

Fourth Cit. Caesar's better parts 

Shall be crown 'd in Brutus. 

First Cit. We '11 bring him to his house ^^ 

With shouts and clamors. 

Bru. My Countrymen, — 

Sec. Cit. Peace, silence ! Brutus speaks. 

First Cit. Peace, ho ! 

Bru. Good countrymen, let me depart alone, ^^ 

And, for my sake, stay here with Antony: 
Do grace to Caesar's corpse, and grace his speech 
Tending to Caesar 's glories ; which Mark Antony, 
By our permission, is allow 'd to make. 
I do entreat you, not a man depart, ^^ 

Save I alone, till Antony have spoke. [Exit. 

First Cit. Stay, ho ! and let us hear Mark Antony. 

Third Cit. Let him go up into the public chair; 
We'll hear him. Noble Antony, go up. 

Ant. For Brutus ' sake, I am beholding to you. , '^^ 

[Goes into the pulpit. 

Fourth Cit. What does he say of Brutus? 

Third Cit. He says, for Brutus' sake, 

He finds himself beholding to us all. 

Fourth Cit. 'T were best he speak no harm of Brutus 
here. 

First Cit. This Caesar was a tyrant. "^^ 

Third Cit. Nay, that 's certain : 

We are blest that Rome is rid of him. 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 87 

Sec. at. Peace ! let us hear what Antony can say. 

Ant. You gentle Romans, — 

Citizens. Peace, ho ! let us hear him. ^° 

Ant. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your 
ears; 
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. 
The evil that men do lives after them ; 
The good is oft interred with their bones ; 
So let it be with C£esar. The noble Brutus ^^ 

Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: 
If it were so, it was a grievous fault. 
And grievously hath Csesar answer 'd it. 
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest — 
For Brutus is an honorable man ; ®^ 

So are they all, all honorable men — 
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. 
He was my friend, faithful and just to me : 
But Brutus says he was ambitious; 

And Brutus is an honorable man. ®^ 

He hath brought many captives home to Rome, 
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill : 
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? 
When that the poor have cri'd, Caesar hath wept : 
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff : ^^^ 

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 
And Brutus is an honorable man. 
You all did see that on the Lupercal 
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 
Which he did thrice refuse : was this ambition ? ^^^ 

Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; 
And, sure, he is an honorable man. 
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, 
But here I am to speak what I do know. 
You all did love him once, not without cause : ^^° 



88 JULIUS C^SAB [Act III 

What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? 

judgment ! thou art fled to brutish beasts, 
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me ; 
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 

And I must pause till it come back to me. ^^^ 

First at. Methinks there is much reason in his 

sayings. 
Sec. at. If thou consider rightly of the matter, 

Caesar has had great wrong. 

Third Cit. Has he, masters? 

1 fear there will a worse come in his place. ^"-^ 
Fourth at. Mark'd ye his words? He would not 

take the crown ; 
Therefore 't is certain he was not ambitious. 
First Cit. If it be found so, some will dear abide it. 
Sec. at. Poor soul! his eyes are red as fire with 

weeping. 
Third Cit. There 's not a nobler man in Rome than ^^^ 

Antony. 
Fourth Cit. Now mark him, he begins again to speak. 
Ant. But yesterday the word of Caesar might 
Have stood against the world ; now lies he there, 
And none so poor to do him reverence. 

masters, if I were dispos 'd to stir ^^^ 
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage, 

1 should do Brutus wrong, and Cassius wrong, 
"Who, you all know, are honorable men: 

I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose 

To wrong the dead, to wrong myself and you, ^^^ 

Than I will wrong such honorable men. 

But here's a parchment with the seal of Cgesar; 

I found it in his closet, 't is his will : 

Let but the commons hear this testament — 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAB 89 

Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read — ^*® 

And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds 

And dip their napkins in his sacred blood, 

Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, 

And, dying, mention it within their wills. 

Bequeathing it as a rich legacy ^*^ 

Unto their issue. 

Fourth Git. We 11 hear the will: read it, Mark 
Antony. 

All. The will, the will! we will hear Caesar's will. 

Ant. Have patience, gentle friends, I must not 
read it; 
It is not meet you know how Caesar lov 'd you. ^^° 

You are not wood, you are not stones, but men ; 
And, being men, hearing the will of Caesar, 
It will inflame you, it will make you mad : 
'T is good you know not that you are his heirs ; 
For, if you should, 0, what would come of it ! ^^^ 

Fourth at. Read the will; we'll hear it, Antony; 
You shall read us the will, Caesar's will. 

Ant. Will you be patient ? will you stay awhile ? 
I have o 'ershot myself to tell you of it : 
I fear I wrong the honorable men ^^^ 

Whose daggers have stabb 'd Csesar ; I do fear it. 

Fourth at. They were traitors : honorable men ! 

All. The will ! the testament ! 

Sec. at. They were villains, murderers: the will! 
read the will. 

Ant. You will compel me, then, to read the will? ^®^ 
Then make a ring about the corpse of Caesar, 
And let me show you him that made the will. 
Shall I descend ? and will you give me leave ? 

Several Cit. Come down. 



90 JULIUS G^SAR [Act III 

Sec. at. Descend. 

Third Cit. You shall have leave. 

[Antony comes down. 

Fourth Cit. A ring ; stand round. 

First Cit. Stand from the hearse, stand from the 
body. 

Sec. Cit. Room for Antony, most noble Antony. 

Ant. Nay, press not so upon me ; stand far off. ^^^ 

Several Cit. Stand back ; room ; bear back. 

Ant. If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. 
You all do know this mantle : I remember 
The first time ever C^sar put it on ; 
'T was on a summer 's evening, in his tent, ^^° 

That day he overcame the Nervii : 
Look, in this place ran Cassius ' dagger through : 
See what a rent the envious Casca made : 
Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb 'd ; 
And as he pluck 'd his cursed steel away, ^^^ 

Mark how the blood of Caesar follow 'd it, 
As rushing out of doors, to be resolv 'd 
If Brutus so unkindly knock 'd, or no ; 
For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar 's angel : 
Judge, you gods, how dearly Caesar lov 'd him : ^^° 

This was the most unkindest cut of all; 
For when the noble Ciesar saw him stab. 
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, 
Quite vanquish 'd him : then burst his mighty heart : 
And, in his mantle muffling up his face, ^^^ 

Even at the base of Pompey's statua, 
"Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. 
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! 
Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, 
"Whilst bloody treason flourish 'd over us. ^^^ 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAR 91 

0, now you weep ; and, I perceive, you feel 
The dint of pity : these are gracious drops. 
Kind souls, what, weep you when you but behold 
Our Cesar's vesture wounded? Look you here, 

[Lifting Ccusar's mantle. 
Here is himself, marr 'd, as you see, with traitors. ^°^ 

First at. O piteous spectacle ! 

Sec. at. noble Csesar ! 

Third at. woful day ! 

Fourth at. traitors, villains ! 

First at. most bloody sight ! ^lo 

Sec. at. We will be reveng 'd. 

All. Eevenge! About! Seek! Burn! Fire! Kill! Slay! 
Let not a traitor live. 

Ant. Stay, countrymen. 

Fif'st at. Peace there ! hear the noble Antony. ^^^ 

Sec. at. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, we'll die 
with him. 

Ant. Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you 
up 
To such a sudden flood of mutiny. 
They that have done this deed are honorable : 
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not, ^^° 

That made them do it: they are wise and honorable, 
And will, no doubt, with reasons answer you. 
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts : 
I am no orator, as Brutus is ; 

But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man, ^^^ 

That love my friend ; and that they know full well 
Thai gave me public leave to speak of him : 
For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth. 
Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech. 
To stir men's blood : I only speak right on ; ^^^ 



92 JULIUS C^SAB [Act III 

I tell you that which you yourselves do know ; 

Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor poor dumb 

mouths, 
And bid them speak for me: but were I Brutus, 
And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony 
Would ruffle up your spirits and put a tongue ^^^ 

In every wound of Csesar that should move 
The stones of Kome to rise and mutiny. 

All. We'll mutiny. 

First at. We '11 burn the house of Brutus. 

Third Cit. Away, then! come, seek the conspira- ^^^ 
tors. 

Ant. Yet hear me, countrymen; yet hear me speak. 

All. Peace, ho ! Hear Antony. Most noble Antony ! 

Ant. Why, friends, you go to do you know not what : 
Wherein hath Caesar thus deserv'd your loves? 
Alas, you know not : I must tell you, then : ^*^ 

You have forgot the will I told you of. 

All. Most true. The will! Let's stay and hear the 
will. 

Ant. Here is the will, and under Caesar's seal 
To every Roman citizen he gives. 
To every several man, seventy-five drachmas. ^^^ 

Sec. Cit. Most noble Cgesar ! We '11 revenge his death. 

Third Cit. O royal Caesar! 

Ant. Hear me with patience. 

All. Peace, ho ! 

Ant. Moreover, he hath left you all his walks, ^^^ 

His private arbors and new-planted orchards. 
On this side Tiber ; he hath left them you. 
And to your heirs forever, common pleasures, 
To walk abroad, and recreate yourselves. 
Here was a Caesar ! when comes such another ? ^®° 

First Cit. Never, never. Come, away, away! 



Scene II] 



JULIUS CMSAB 93 



We'll burn his body in the holy place, 

And with the brands fire the traitors' houses. 

Take up the body. ^^^ 

Sec. at. Go fetch fire. 

Third Cit. Pluck down benches. 

Fourth Cit. Pluck down forms, windows, any thing. 
[Exeunt Citizens with the body. 

Antony had so worked upon the feelings of his hearers that 
they had grown into a mob, lawless and unrestrained. Bearing 
aloft the bier on which rested the form of him whose sufferings 
and wrongs had so inflamed their passions, the people rushed 
into the street, leaving the great Forum echoing with the sound 
of their fury and rage. 

On and on they went, bearing the mutilated body not of Caesar 
the tyrant; but Csesar the demi-god; Csesar the hero and father 
of his country. Some proposed to carry the body to the Temple 
of Jupiter on the Capitol hill, and others suggested making a 
funeral pyre of the senate-house. While they were wildly arguing 
what to do, there rushed from among the crowd two young, 
unknown soldiers, with lighted torches which they touched to 
the trappings of the bier, then disappeared. This incident added 
to the excitement of the people, who in their ignorant super- 
stition thought the soldiers were Castor and Pollux, two of their 
gods, who were credited with having saved the republic on more 
than one occasion. They were now assured they were right, for 
they had the approval of the gods, and the wildest excitement 
prevailed. Everything available was used to make a funeral 
pyre the people out-rivalling each other in contributing to it 
their dearest possessions. Soldiers threw in their spears and 
lances, women bits of highly prized finery, musicians their in- 
struments, scholars their books, and children their toys, ihe 
glare of the firelight, roar and heat of the flames increased the 
excitement of the people until they were frenzied, and snatching 
brands from the great pyre they rushed toward the homes of 
the conspirators, bent on destruction. Caesar dead swayed the 
hearts of that vast multitude as Caesar living never had. ^ 

Alone in the silent square, his face aglow with the triumph 
of victory, Antony listened to the receding shouts of the angry 
populace. 



94 JULIUS C^SAB [Act III 

Ant. Now let it work. Mischief, thou art afoot, 
Take thou what course thou wilt! 

Enter a Servant. 

How now, fellow ! ^'^^ 

Serv. Sir, Octavius is already come to Rome. 

Ant. Where is he? 

Serv. He and Lepidus are at Caesar's house. 

Ant. And thither will I straight to visit him : 
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, ^75 

And in this mood will give us any thing. 

Serv. I heard him say, Brutus and Cassius 
Are rid like madmen through the gates of Rome. 

Ant. Belike they had some notice of the people. 
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Octavius. ^^^ 

[Exeunt. 

On leaving the Forum, Antony hurried to the home of the dead 
Dictator to discuss questions of state with Octavius Caesar, heir 
of the Great Julius, and Lepidus, who was to have succeeded 
Caesar as governor of Gaul. His grief for Caesar did not tend 
to make Antony any the less ambitious or blind him to the 
advantages of power, as Cassius had foreseen. His splendid 
defense of his dead friend was an open declaration of enmity 
to the assassins, but he had no fears, for he was in high favor 
with the populace now, and felt confident of his power to remain 
so. 

There were now two opposing factions in the city, one headed 
by some of the foremost men of the government, and the other 
by a youth not yet twenty-one years of age. When Caesar was 
made dictator he was given the power to appoint his successor, 
and had chosen his grand-nephew and adopted son, Octavius 
Caesar, the son of his niece. Shortly before his assassination 
Caesar had summoned Octavius to Rome, where on his arrival the 
young man found a state of affairs requiring the advice of men 
of wider experience. These he found in the persons of Antony 
and Lepidus with whom he formed what was afterwards known 
as the Triumvirate, the three dividing between them the Roman 
empire. Flattered by his success in influencing the people, and 



Scene II] JULIUS GM8AR 95 

assured he knew how to retain their favor, Antony tried to 
dictate to his colleagues. At first he entirely ignored the opinions 
of the young Octavius, but he soon discovered that the man 
destined to be the Emperor Augustus possessed rare power and 
ability; Lepidus, however, he ever held in contempt, despite his 
splendid military record. 

These three men, self-elected to direct the affairs of the empire, 
decided to execute every one who had opposed the elder Caesar, 
This resolution afforded opportunity to dispose of many personal 
enemies, and as a result more than three hundred of the nation's 
best men were put to death, largely to avenge personal griev- 
ances. They did not even spare the members of their own fam- 
ilies, whom they yielded up in a process of exchange. Octavius 
consented to sacrifice his friend and benefactor, Cicero, the great 
orator, to satisfy the revenge of Antony, who. in turn gave his 
uncle Lucius to Lepidus, while Lepidus yielded his brother Paulus 
to Octavius. The assumption of authority and disregard of 
citizens' rights on the part of the Triumvirate won for them 
the fear and hatred of the people of Rome, for as Cicero said, 
"The tyrant is dead, but tyranny still lives." 

It was at a meeting held at the home of Antony about nineteen 
months after Caesar's death, that the rulers each submitted a 
list of those they thought should die. 



ACT IV 

Scene I. A house in Borne. 

Antony, Octa\^us, and Lepidus, seated at a table. 

Ant. These many, then, shall die; their names are 
prick 'd. 

Oct. Your brother too must die; consent you, 
Lepidus ? 

Lep. I do consent, — 

Oct. Prick him down, Antony. 

Lep. Upon condition Publius shall not live, ^ 

Who is your sister's son, Mark Antony. 

Ant. He shall not live ; look, with a spot I damn him. 
But, Lepidus, go you to Caesar 's house ; 
Fetch the will hither, and we shall determine 
How to cut off some charge in legacies. ^^ 

Lep. What, shall I find you here? 

Oct. Or here, or at the Capitol. [Exit Lepidus. 

Ant. This is a slight unmeritable man, 
Meet to be sent on errands : is it fit. 
The three-fold world divided, he should stand ^^ 

One of the three to share it ? 

Oct. So you thought him; 

And took his voice who should be prick 'd to die. 
In our black sentence and proscription. 

Ant. Octavius, I have seen more days than you : ^^ 
And though we lay these honors on this man, 
To ease ourselves of divers sland'rous loads, 
He shall but bear them as the ass bears gold. 
To groan and sweat under the business, 

96 



Scene I] JULIUS O^SAB 97 

Either led or driven, as we point the way ; ^^ 

And having brought our treasure where we will, 
Then take we down his load, and turn him off. 
Like to the empty ass, to shake his ears, 
And graze in commons. 

Oct. You may do your will; ^** 

But he 's a tried and valiant soldier. 

Ant. So is my horse, Octavius; and for that 
I do appoint him store of provender : 
It is a creature that I teach to fight, 

To wind, to stop, to run directly on, ^^ 

His corporal motion govern 'd by my spirit. 
And, in some taste, is Lepidus but so ; 
He must be taught and train 'd and bid go forth ; 
A barren-spirited fellow; one that feeds 
On abjects, arts and imitations, ** 

Which, out of use and stal'd by other men, 
Begin his fashion : do not talk of him. 
But as a property. And now, Octavius, 
Listen great things : — Brutus and Cassius 
Are levying powers : we must straight make head : *^ 

Therefore let our alliance be combined. 
Our best friends made, our means stretch 'd; 
And let us presently go sit in council, 
How covert matters may be best disclos *d, 
And open perils surest answered. ^° 

Oct. Let us do so : for we are at the stake, 
And bay 'd about with many enemies ; 
And some that smile have in their hearts, I fear, 
Millions of mischiefs. [Exeunt. 

To save themselves from the mob infuriated by Antony's speech, 
the conspirators had fied from Rome and were now scattered 
through different parts of the empire. Brutus and Cassius had 
secretly escaped to the East, but owing to their hurried departure 



98 JULIUS CJE8AR [Act IV 

Scene II. Camp near Sardis. Before Brutus' tent. 

Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, and Soldiers; 
TiTiNius and Pindarus meeting them. 

Bru. Stand, ho! 

Lucil. Give the word, ho! and stand. 

Bru. What now, Lucilius ! is Cassius near ? 

Lucil. He is at hand ; and Pindarus is come 
To do you salutation from his master. ^ 

Bru. He greets me well. Your master, Pindarus, 
In his own change, or by ill officers. 
Hath given me some worthy cause to wish 

had been unable to make any provision for the future. Moneyless 
and without arms, soldiers or ships, they were not prepared to 
fight their enemies, which they knew sooner or later they would 
have to do. But Cassius was a splendid organizer, and Brutus 
through his honor and integrity was able to win many to their 
cause, so they now had an army that would enable them to fight 
Antony and Octavius for the empire. 

Warm personal regard and unity of purpose naturally could 
not at all times prevent friction between men of as strong opin- 
ions and different views as Brutus and Cassius, particularly amid 
the hardships incident to their adventurous life in the East. The 
innumerable difficulties arising from their hazardous undertaking, 
united with the petty irritations of everyday intercourse, had not 
only served to emphasize recognized weaknesses but revealed 
others hitherto unsuspected in the characters of each. Their 
common interests and mutual dependence had heretofore restrained 
them, but things had at last reached the point where an open 
rupture seemed unavoidable. 

Cassius, who was the elder, had always held Brutus in deep 
regard, honoring him for his fine sense of integrity and splendid 
standards of life, which he conscientiously followed. But thor- 
oughly practical, he had little sympathy with many of Brutus' 
ideals, being too familiar with men and the world to have any 
mistaken theories about their principles or designs. An ardent 
advocate of personal liberty and a finished politician, he had few 



Scene II] JULIUS C^SAB 99 

Things done, undone : but if he be at' hand, 

I shall be satisfied. ^^ 

Pin. I do not doubt 

But that my noble master will appear 
Such as he is, full of regard and honor. 

Bru, He is not doubted. A word, Lucilius; 
How he received you, let me be resolved. ^^ 

Lucil. With courtesy and with respect enough; 
But not with such familiar instances. 
Nor with such free and friendly conference, 
As he hath used of old. 

Bru. Thou hast described ^^ 

scruples about the methods he employed in gaining his ends, if 
he felt they assured success. 

The impractical Brutus was a visionary philosopher, possessing 
too fine a moral nature to rightly read men, correctly judge 
their deeds, or foresee their possible motives. Naturally, one of 
his principles found much that was objectionable in Cassius' 
methods, yet they were no worse than those practiced by other 
generals and political leaders of the period. 

The success they had experienced in the East, their well 
organized army and the means to conduct their campaign were 
a tribute to the business sagacity and foresight of the practical 
Cassius rather than the idealism of Brutus. Grasping and 
merciless in his dealings, Cassius had accumulated a large treas- 
ure by plundering and exacting heavy ransoms from prisoners. 
Brutus, who released the majority of his prisoners without ran- 
soms, did not have the means to pay his soldiers. He sought to 
borrow it from Cassius, who grudgingly gave him a small amount. 
Deeply humiliated, Brutus resented his action, while Cassius took 
offence at Brutus for condemning one of his favorite officers foi; 
accepting bribes. In the eyes of Brutus such an act on the part 
of a member of their command was a disgrace, but to Cassius, 
whose sense of honor was not so high as that of Brutus, it was 
not important. Thus a coldness had arisen between them which 
threatened serious injury to their cause, when one day in the 
camp near Sardis, Cassius notified Brutus he was coming to hold 
a conference with him. 



100 JULIUS CM8AR [Act IV 

A hot friend cooling : ever note, Lucilius, 

When love begins to sicken and decay, 

It useth an enforced ceremony. 

There are no tricks in plain and simple faith ; 

But hollow men, like horses hot at hand, ^^ 

Make gallant show and promise of their mettle : 

But w^hen they should endure the bloody spur. 

They fall their crests, and, like deceitful jades, 

Sink in the trial. Comes his army on? 

Lucil. They mean this night in Sardis to be 
quarter 'd ; , ^^ 

The greater part, the horse in general, 
Are come with Cassius. 

Bru. Hark ! he is arriv 'd. 

[Low march within. 
March gently on to meet him. 

Enter Cassius and his powers. 

Cas. Stand, ho! ^^ 

Bru. Stand, ho ! Speak the word along. 

First Sol. Stand! 

Sec. Sol. Stand! 

Third Sol. Stand ! 

Cas. Most noble brother, you have done me wrong. *^ 

Bru. Judge me, you gods! wrong I mine enemies? 
And, if not so, how should I wrong a brother ? 

Cas. Brutus, this sober form of yours hides wrongs; 
And when you do them — 

Bru. Cassius, be content; ^® 

Speak your griefs softly : I do know you well. 
Before the eyes of both our armies here. 
Which should perceive nothing but love from us, 
Let us not wrangle : bid them move away ; 
Then in my tent, Cassius, enlarge your griefs, ^^ 

And I will give you audience. 



Scene III] JULIUS CM8AR jOl 

^^^' Pindarus, 

Bid our commanders lead their charges off 
A little from this ground. 

Bru. Lucilius, do you the like; and let no man ^5 
Come to our tent till we have done our conference. 
Let Lucius and Titinius guard our door. [Exeunt. 

Scene III. Brutus' tent. 
Enter Brutus and Cassius. 

Cas. That you have wrong 'd me doth appear in this : 
You have condemn 'd and noted Lucius Bella 
For taking bribes here of the Sardians ; 
"Wherein my letter, praying on his side, 
Because I knew the man, was slighted off. ^ 

Bru. You wrong 'd yourself to write in such a case. 

Cas. In such a time as this it is not meet 
That every nice offence should bear his comment. 

Bru. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself 
Are much condemn 'd to have an itching palm; lo 

To sell and mart your offices for gold 
To undeservers. 

Cas. I an itching palm ! 

You know that you are Brutus that speak this, 
Or, by the gods, this speech were else your last. ^^ 

Bru. The name of Cassius honors this corruption, 
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. 

Cas. Chastisement ! 

Bru. Remember March, the ides of March remember : 
Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake? 20 

What villain touch 'd his body, that did stab, 
And not for justice ? What, shall one of us, 
That struck the foremost man of all this world 



102 JULIUS a^SAR [Act IV 

But for supporting robbers, shall we now 
Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, ^^ 

And sell the mighty space of our large honors 
For so much trash as may be grasped thus? 
I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon, 
Than such a Roman. 

Cas. Brutus, bay not me; *** 

I '11 not endure it : you forget yourself, 
To hedge me in ; I am a soldier, I, 
Older in practice, abler than yourself 
To make conditions. 

Bru. Go to; you are not, Cassius. ^^ 

Cas, I am. 

Bru. I say you are not. 

Cas. Urge me no more, I shall forget myself; 
Have mind upon your health, tempt me no farther. 

Bru. Away, slight man ! ^^ 

Cas. Is 't possible ? . . 

Bru. Hear me, for I will speak. 

Must I give way and room to your rash choler ? 
Shall I be frighted when a madman stares? 

Cas. ye gods, ye gods ! must I endure all this ? *^ 

Bru. All this! ay, more: fret till your proud heart 
break ; 
Go show your slaves how choleric you are, 
And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge ? 
Must I observe you ? must I stand and crouch 
Under your testy humor ? By the gods, ^^ 

You shall digest the venom of your spleen. 
Though it do split you : for, from this day forth, 
I'll use you for my mirth, yea, for my laughter, 
"When you are waspish. 

Cas. Is it come to this? ^^ 

Bru. You say you are a better soldier : 



Scene III] JULIUS C^SAB 103 

Let it appear so ; make your vaunting true, 
And it shall please me well : for mine own part, 
I shall be glad to learn of noble men. 

Cas. You wrong me every way ; you wrong me, 
Brutus; 60 

I said, an elder soldier, not a better : 
Did I say '^ better"? 

Bru. If you did, I care not. 

Cas. When Caesar liv 'd, he durst not thus have mov 'd 
me. 

Bru. Peace, peace ! you durst not so have tempted 
him. 65 

Cas. I durst not ! 

Bru. No. 

Cas. What, durst not tempt him ! 

Bru. For your life you durst not. 

Cas. Do not presume too much upon my love ; 
I may do that I shall be sorry for. '^^ 

Bru. You have done that you should be sorry for. 
There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats. 
For I am arm 'd so strong in honesty 
That they pass by me as the idle wind. 
Which I respect not. I did send to you ^^ 

For certain sums of gold, which you denied me : 
For I can raise no money by vile means : 
By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, 
And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring 
From the hard hands of peasants their vile trash ^° 

By any indirection : I did send 
To you for gold to pay my legions, 
Which you denied me : was that done like Cassius ? 
Should I have answer 'd Caius Cassius so? 
When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, ^^ 

To lock such rascal counters from his friends. 



104 JULIUS C.^SAB [Act IV 

Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts ; 
Dash him to pieces! 

Cas. I denied you not. 

Bru. You did. so 

Cas. I did not : he was but a fool that brought 
My answer back. Brutus hath riv 'd my heart : 
A friend should bear his friend's infirmities, 
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. 

BriL I do not, till you practise them on me. ^^ 

Cas. You love me not. 

Bru. I do not like your faults. 

Cas. A friendly eye could never see such faults. 

Bru. A flatterer's would not, though they do appear 
As huge as high Olympus. ^^^ 

Cas. Come, Antony, and young Octavius, come, 
Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, 
For Cassius is aweary of the world ; 
Hated by one he loves ; brav 'd by his brother ; 
Check 'd like a bondman ; all his faults observ 'd, ^^^ 

Set in a note-book, learn 'd, and conn 'd by rote, 
To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep 
My spirit from mine eyes ! There is my dagger, 
And here my naked breast ; within, a heart 
Dearer than Plutus ' mine, richer than gold : ^^^ 

If that thou be 'st a Roman, take it forth ; 
I, that denied thee gold, will give my heart : 
Strike, as thou didst at Caesar ; for, I know, 
When thou didst hate him worst, thou lovedst him 
better ^^^ 

Than ever thou lovedst Cassius. 

Bru. Sheathe your dagger: 

Be angry when you will, it shall have scope ; 
Do what you will, dishonor shall be humor. 
O Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb 



Scene III] JULIUS CM8AR 105 

That carries anger as the flint bears fire ; ^^° 

Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark, 
And straight is cold again. 

Cas. Hath Cassius liv 'd 

To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus, 
When grief, and blood ill-temper 'd, vexeth him? ^^^ 

Bru. When I spoke that, I was ill-temper 'd too. 

Cas. Do you confess so much ? Give me your hand. 

Bru. And my heart too. 

Cas. O Brutus! 

Bru. What 's the matter? ^^« 

Cas. Have not you love enough to bear with me, 
When that rash humor which my mother gave me 
Makes me forgetful? 

Bru. Yes, Cassius; and, from henceforth, 

When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, ^^^ 

He '11 think your mother chides, and leave you so. 
Lucius, a bowl of wine ! 

Cas. I did not think you could have been so angry. 

Bru. O Cassius, I am sick of many griefs. 

Cas. Of your philosophy you make no use, ^*^ 

If you give place to accidental evils. 

Bru. No man bears sorrow better. Portia is dead. 

Cas. Ha! Portia! 

Bru. She is dead. 

Cas. How 'scap'd I killing when I cross 'd you so? ^*^ 
insupportable and touching loss ! 
Upon what sickness ? 

Bru. Impatient of my absence, 

And grief that young Octavius with Mark Antony 
Have made themselves so strong : — for with her death ^^° 
That tidings came ; — with this she fell distract, 
And, her attendants absent, swallow 'd fire. 

Cas. And died so? 



106 JULIUS C^SAB [Act IV 

Bru. Even so. 

Cas. O ye immortal gods ! ^^^ 

Enter Lucius, with wine and taper. 

Bru. Speak no more of her. Give me a bowl of wine. 
In this I bury all unkindness, Cassius. 

Cas. My heart is thirsty for that noble pledge. 
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'erswell the cup ; 
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. ^^^ 

Bru. Come in, Titinius! [Exit Lucius. 

Enter Titinius with Messala. 

Welcome, good Messala. 
Now sit we close about this taper here, 
And call in question our necessities. 

Cas. Portia, art thou gone? ^^^ 

Bru. No more, I pray you. 

Messala, I have here received letters, 
That young Octavius and Mark Antony 
Come down upon us with a mighty power. 
Bending their expedition toward Philippi. "^ 

Mes. Myself have letters of the self -same tenor. 

Bru. With what addition ? 

Mes. That by proscription and bills of outlawry, 
Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus, 
Have put to death an hundred senators. . ^^^ 

Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree ; 
Mine speak of seventy senators that died 
By their proscriptions, Cicero being one. 

Cas. Cicero one ! 

Mes. Cicero is dead, ^^° 

And by that order of proscription. 
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord ? 

Bru. No, Messala. 

Mes. Nor nothing in your letters writ of her ? 

Bru. Nothing, Messala. ^^^ 



195 



Scene III] JULIUS G^SAR 107 

Mes. That; methinks, is strange. 

Bru. Why ask you ? hear you aught of her in yours ? 

Mes. No, my lord. 

Bru. Now, as you are a Roman, tell me true. 

Mes. Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell : ^^^ 
For certain she is dead, and by strange manner. 

Bru. Why, farewell, Portia. We must die, Messala: 
With meditating that she must die once, 
I have the patience to endure it now. 

Mes. Even so great men great losses should endure. 

Cas. I have as much of this in art as you. 
But yet my nature could not bear it so. 

Bru. Well, to our work alive. What do you think 
Of marching to Philippi presently ? 

Cas. I do not think it good. ^^^ 

Bru. Your reason ? 

Cas. This it is : 

'T is better that the enemy seek us : 
So shall he waste his means, weary his soldiers. 
Doing himself offence ; whilst we, lying still, ^""^ 

Are full of rest, defence, and nimbleness. 

Bru. Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. 
The people 'twixt Philippi and this ground 
Do stand but in a fore 'd affection; 

For they have grudg'd us contribution : ^^^ 

The enemy, marching along by them, . - - 
By them shall make a fuller number up, 
Come on refresh 'd, new-added, and encourag'd; 
From which advantage shall we cut him off. 
If at Philippi we do face him there, ^'^ 

These people at our back. 

Cas. Hear me, good brother. 

Bru. Under your pardon. You must note beside. 
That we have tried the utmost of our friends. 



108 JULIUS C^SAR [Act IV 

Our legions are brim-full, our cause is ripe : ^^® 

The enemy increaseth every day ; 

We, at the height, are ready to decline. 

There is a tide in the affairs of men. 

Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune: 

Omitted, all the voyage of their life ^^^ 

Is bound in shallows and in miseries. 

On such a full sea are we now afloat ; 

And we must take the current when it serves, 

Or^lose our ventures. 

Cas. Then, with your will, go on : ^^^ 

We '11 along ourselves, and meet them at Philippi. 

Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk, 
And nature must obey necessity ; 
Which we will niggard with a little rest. 
There is no more to say ? ^^^ 

Cas. No more. Good night : 

Early to-morrow will we rise, and hence. 

Bru, Lucius! [Enter Lucius.] My gown. [Exit 
Lucius.] Farewell, good Messala: 
Good night, Titinius. Noble, noble Cassius, ^*° 

Good night, and good repose. 

Cas. O my dear brother ! 

This was an ill beginning of the night : 
Never come such division 'tween our souls ! 
Let it not, Brutus. ""^ 

Bru. Every thing is well. 

Cas. Good night, my lord. 

Bru. Good night, good brother. 

Tit. Mes. Good night, Lord Brutus. 

Bru. Farewell, every one. ^^° 

[Exeunt all hut Brutus. 
Fe-enter Lucros, with the gown. 
Give me the gown. Where is thy instrument ? 



Scene III] JULIUS C^SAB 109 

Luc. Here in the tent. 

Bru. What, thou speak 'st drowsily? 

Poor knave, I blame thee not ; thou art o 'erwatch 'd. 
Call Claudius and some other of my men ; ^^^ 

I '11 have them sleep on cushions in my tent. 

Luc. Varro and Claudius! 

Enter Yarro and Claudius. 

Var. Calls my lord? 

Bru. I pray you, sirs, lie in my tent and sleep ; 
It may be I shall raise you by and by ^^^ 

On business to my brother Cassius. 

Var. So please you, we will stand and watch your 
pleasure. 

Bru. I will not have it so : lie down, good sirs ; 
It may be I shall otherwise bethink me. 
Look, Lucius, here 's the book I sought for so ; ^®^ 

I put it in the pocket of my gown. 

[Var. and Clau. lie down. 

Luc. I was sure your lordship did not give it me. 

Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much forgetful. 
Canst thou hold up thy heavy eyes awhile. 
And touch thy instrument a strain or two? ^^^ 

LuA). Ay, my lord, an 't please you. 

Bru. It does, my boy : 

I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing. 

Luc. It is my duty, sir. 

Bru. I should not urge thy duty past thy might ; ^^® 
I know young bloods look for a time of rest. 

Lu^. I have slept, my lord, already. 

Bru. It was well done ; and thou shalt sleep again ; 
I will not hold thee long : if I do live, 
I will be good to thee. [Music, and a song. ^^^ 

This is a sleepy tune. murd'rous slumber, 
Lay'st thou thy leaden mace upon my boy, 



110 JULIUS C^SAR [Act IV 

That plays thee music ? Gentle knave, good night ; 

I will not do thee so much wrong to wake thee : 

If thou dost nod, thou break 'st thy instrument ; ^^^ 

I '11 take it from thee ; and, good boy, good night. 

Let me see, let me see ; is not the leaf turn 'd down 

Where I left reading? Here it is, I think. 

Enter the Ghost of C^sar. 
How ill this taper burns ! Ha ! who comes here ? 
I think it is the weakness of mine eyes ^®^ 

That shapes this monstrous apparition. 
It comes upon me. Art thou any thing ? 
Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil. 
That mak 'st my blood cold and my hair to stare ? 
Speak to me what thou art. ^^^ 

Ghost. Thy evil spirit, Brutus. 

Bru. Why com 'st thou ? 

Ghost. To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi. 

Bru. Well ; then I shall see thee again ? 

Ghost. Ay, at Philippi. ""' 

Bru. Why, I will see thee at Philippi, then. 

[Exit Ghost. 
Now I have taken heart thou vanishest: 

111 spirit, I would hold more talk with thee. 
Boy, Lucius ! Yarro ! Claudius ! Sirs, awake ! 
Claudius ! 

Luc. The strings, my lord, are false. ^^^ 

Bru. He thinks' he still is at his instrument. 
Lucius, awake ! 
Luc. My lord? 
Bru. Didst thou dream, Lucius, that thou so criedst 

out? 
Luc. My lord, I do not know that I did cry. ^^^ 

Bru. Yes, that thou didst: didst thou see anything? 
Luc. Nothing, my lord. 



Scene III] JULIUS C^SAB HI 

Bru. Sleep again, Lucius. Sirrah Claudius! 
[To Var.] Fellow thou, awake! 

Var. My lord? ''' 

Clau. My lord? 

Bru. Why did you so cry out, sirs, in your sleep ? 

Var. Clau. Did we, my lord? 

Bru. Ay : saw you any thing ? 

Var. No, my lord, I saw nothing. ^^^ 

Clau. Nor I, my lord. 

Bru. Go and commend me to my brother Cassius ; 
Bid him set on his powers betimes before, 
And we will follow. 

Var. Clau. It shall be done, my lord. ^^^ 

[Exeunt. 



ACT V 

Scene I. The plains of Philippi. 
Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army. 

Oct. Now, Antony, our hopes are answered: 
You said the enemy would not come down, 
But keep the hills and upper regions ; 
It proves not so : their battles are at hand ; 
They mean to warn us at Philippi here, ® 

Answering before we do demand of them. 

Ant. Tut, I am in their bosoms, and I know 
Wherefore they do it : they could be content 
To visit other places ; and come down 
With fearful bravery, thinking by this face ^° 

Brutus and Cassius with their armies had made the march 
from Sardis and were now encamped on one side of the plains 
of Philippi: Cassius' camp being opposite Antony's, and that of 
Brutus opposite Octavius'. Brutus, who was anxious for the 
restoration of peace, had insisted on meeting the enemy immedi- 
ately; but owing to the many ill-omens, which had served to 
dishearten the soldiers, Cassius thought it advisable to postpone 
the encounter for a time. But again the wish of Brutus prevailed, 
and on their tents had been hung the scarlet military coats, 
signalling their preparation for battle. 

On the opposite plain Octavius and Antony with their army 
were closely observing the movements of the enemy. Their 
common interest was the only bond of union between these two 
men, Antony continuing to treat with contempt the ideas of the 
young Caesar, who, although hardly half the former's age had 
already revealed a man's judgment and capabilities on more than 
one occasion. 

112 



Scene ]] JULIUS G^SAR 113 

To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage ; 
But 't is not so. 

Enter a Messenger. 

Mess. Prepare you, generals i 

The enemy comes on in gallant show ; 
Their bloody sign of battle is hung out, ^^ 

And something to be done immediately. 

Ant. Octavius, lead your battle softly on, 
Upon the left hand of the even field. 

Oct. Upon the right hand I ; keep thou the left. 

Ant. Why do you cross me in this exigent ? ^° 

Oct. I do not cross you ; but I will do so. [March. 

Drum. Eiiter Brutus, Cassius, and their Army; 
LuciLius, TiTiNius, Messala, and others, 

Bru. They stand, and would have parley. 

Cas. Stand fast, Titinius: we must out and talk. 

Oct. Mark Antony, shall we give sign of battle? 

Ant. No, Csesar, we will answer on their charge. ^^ 
Make forth; the generals would have some words. 

Oct. Stir not until the signal. 

Bru. Words before blows : is it so, countrymen ? 

Oct. Not that we love words better, as you do. 

Bru. Good words are better than bad strokes, 
Octavius. ^^ 

Ant. In your bad strokes, Brutus, you give good 
words : 
Witness the hole you made in Caesar's heart. 
Crying ''Long Live! hail, C^sar!" 

Cas. Antony, 

The posture of your blows are yet unknown ; ^^ 

But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees, 
And leave them honeyless. 

Ant. Not stingless too ? 



114 JULIUS CJESAB [Act V 

Bru. 0, yes, and soundless too; 
For you have stol'n their buzzing, Antony, *° 

And very wisely threat before you sting. 

Ant. Villains, you did not so, when your vile daggers 
Hack'd one another in the sides of Csesar: 
You show 'd your teeth like apes, and fawn 'd like hounds. 
And bow 'd like bondmen, kissing Caesar 's feet ; *^ 

Whilst damned Casca, like a cur, behind 
Struck Cgesar on the neck. you flatterers ! . 

Cos. Flatterers ! Now, Brutus, thank yourself : 
This tongue had not offended so to-day. 
If Cassius might have rul'd. ^^ 

Oct. Come, come, the cause : if arguing make us sweat, 
The proof of it will turn to redder drops. 
Look; 

I draw a sword against conspirators ; 
When think you that the sword goes up again ? ^^ 

Never, till Csesar's three and thirty wounds 
Be well aveng 'd ; or till another Caesar 
Have added slaughter to the sword of traitors. 

Bru. Cassar, thou canst not die by traitors' hands, 
Unless thou bring 'st them with thee. ^^ 

Oct. So I hope; 

I was not born to die on Brutus ' sword. 

Bru. 0, if thou wert the noblest of thy strain. 
Young man, thou couldst not die more honorable, 

Cas. A peevish schoolboy, worthless of such honor, ^^ 
Join 'd with a masker and a reveller ! 

Ant. Old Cassius still! 

Oct. Come, Antony, away ! 

Defiance, traitors, hurl we in your teeth : 
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field; ^® 

If not, when you have stomachs. 

[Exeunt Octavius, Antony, and their army. 



Scene I] JULIUS C^SAR 115 

Cos. Why, now, blow wind, swell billow and swim 
bark! 
The storm is up, and aU is on the hazard. 

Bru. Ho, Lucilius ! hark, a word with you. 

Lucil. [Standing forth.] My Lord? ^^ 

[Brutus and Lucilius converse apart. 

Cas, Messala! 

Mes. [Standing forth.] What says my general? 

Cos. Messala, 
This is my birth-day; as this very day 
Was Cassius born. Give me thy hand, Messala : ^^ 

Be thou my witness that against my will, 
As Pompey was, am I compell 'd to set 
Upon one battle all our liberties. 
You know that I held Epicurus strong 
And his opinion : now I change my mind, ^^ 

And partly credit things that do presage. 
Coming from Sardis, on our former ensign 
Two mighty eagles fell, and there they perch 'd, 
Gorging and feeding from our soldiers ' hands ; 
Who to Philippi here consorted us : ^^ 

This morning are they fled away and gone ; 
And in their steads do ravens, crows and kites, 
Fly o'er our heads and downward look on us, 
As we were sickly prey: their shadows seem 
A canopy most fatal, under which ^^ 

Our army lies, ready to give up the ghost. 

Mes. Believe not so. 

Cas. I but believe it partly ; 

For I am fresh of spirit and resolv'd 
To meet all perils very constantly. ^^^ 

Bru. Even so, Lucilius. 

Cas. Now, most noble Brutus. 

The gods to-day stand friendly, that we may. 



116 JULIUS C^SAR [Act V 

Lovers in peace, lead on our days to age ! 

But since the affairs of men rest still incertain, ^^^ 

Let 's reason with the worst that may befall. 

If we do lose this battle, then is this 

The very last time we shall speak together : 

"What are you then determined to do? 

Bru. Even by the rule of that philosophy ^^^ 

By which I did blame Cato for the death 
Which he did give himself, I know not how, 
But I do find it cowardly and vile, 
For fear of what might fall, so to prevent 
The time of life : arming myself with patience ^^^ 

To stay the providence of some high powers 
That govern us below. 

Cas. Then, if we lose this battle, 

You are contented to be led in triumph 
Thorough the streets of Rome? '^^ 

5ru. No, Cassius, no : think not, thou noble Roman, 
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome ; 
He bears too great a mind. But this same day 
Must end that work the ides of March begun ; 
And whether we shall meet again I know not. ^^^ 

Therefore our everlasting farewell take: 
For ever, and for ever, farewell, Cassius ! 
If we do meet again, why, we shall smile ; 
If not, why then, this parting was well made. 

Cas. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus ! ^^° 

If we do meet again, we '11 smile indeed ; 
If not, 't is true this parting was well made. 

Bru, Why, then, lead on. 0, that a man might know 
The end of this day 's business ere it come ! 
But it sufficeth that the day will end, ^^^ 

And then the end is known. Come, ho ! away ! 

[Exeunt. 



Scene III] JULIUS C^SAB 117 

Scene II. The same. The field of battle. 

Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala. 

Bru. Ride, ride, Messala, ride, and give these bills 
Unto the legions on the other side. [Loud alarum. 

Let them set on at once ; for I perceive 
But cold demeanor in Octavius ' wing. 
And sudden push gives them the overthrow. ^ 

Ride, ride, Messala: let them all come down. [Exeunt. 

Scene III. Another part of the field. 

Alarums. Enter Cassius and Titinius. 

Cas. 0, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly! 
Myself have to mine own turn'd enemy: 

The battle was being waged and .as the hostile forces were 
nearly equal, the contest promised to be a sharp and bitter 
struggle. Brutus was in command of the right wing, which 
should have been given to Cassius by reason of his greater ability 
and wider experience. Although he had met with several repulses, 
his forces were rapidly overcoming those of Octavius, and, assured 
of victory, he wrote messages to the different commanders 
ordering a united attack to be made at a given signal, then 
summoned Messala. 

On the other part of the field, where the forces of Cassius were 
pitted against those of Antony, conditions were favoring the 
Roman legions. Hard pressed by the steady, onward movement 
of Antony's forces and dismayed by the strength of their attack, 
Cassius' soldiers became confused, mistook the commands of their 
leaders and began retreating before the enemy's advance. Seeing 
only defeat before them the cavalry broke and fled, and the 
rapidly thinning ranks of the infantry began to waver, then 
turned and ran. Cassius did all in his power to rally his troops 
and inspire fresh courage in them, even snatching a standard from 
the hand of a retreating ensign, whom he slew. With Titinius, 
his faithful aide, he withdrew to a hill, commanding a view of 
the entire field. 



118 JULIUS CJS8AR [Act V 

This ensign here of mine was turning back ; 

I slew the coward, and did take it from him. ^° 

Tit. O Cassius, Brutus gave the word too early ; 
Who, having some advantage on Octavius, 
Took it too eagerly: his soldiers fell to spoil. 
Whilst we by Antony are all enclosed. 
Enter Pindarus. 

Pin. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off ; ^^ 

Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord : 
Fly, therefore, noble Cassius, fly far off. 

Cas. This hill is far enough. Look, look, Titinius; 
Are those my tents where I perceive the fire ? 

Tit. They are, my lord. ^^ 

Cas. Titinius, if thou lovest me, 

Mount thou my horse, and hide thy spurs in him, 
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops, 
And here again ; that I may rest assured 
Whether yond troops are friend or enemy. ^^ 

Tit. I will be here again, even with a thought. 

[Exit. 

Cas. Go, Pindarus, get higher on that hill ; 
My sight was ever thick ; regard Titinius, 
And tell me what thou not'st about the field. 

[Pindarus ascends the hill. 
This day I breathed first : time is come round, ^^ 

And where I did begin, there shall I end ; 
My life is run his compass. Sirrah, what news ? 

Pin. [Above.] my lord! 

Cas. What news? 

Pin. [Above.] Titinius is enclosed round about 
With horsemen, that make to him on the spur; ^® 

Yet he spurs on. Now they are almost on him. 
Now, Titinius ! Now some 'light. 0, he 'lights too. 



Scene III] JULIUS C^SAR Hg 

He 's ta'en. [Shout.] And, hark! they shout for joy. 

Cas. Come down, behold no more. 
O, coward that I am, to live so long, ^^ 

To see my best friend ta'en before my face ! 

PiNDARus descends. 
Come hither, sirrah : 
In Parthia did I take thee prisoner ; 
And then I swore thee, saving of thy life. 
That whatsoever I did bid thee do, ^^ 

Thou shouldst attempt it. Come now, keep thine oath ; 
Now be a freeman : and with this good sword 
That ran through Caesar's bowels, search this bosom. 
Stand not to answer : here, take thou the hilts ; 
And, when my face is cover 'd, as 't is now, ^^ 

Guide thou the sword. [Pindarus stabs him.] Caesar, 

thou art reveng'd. 
Even with the sword that kill'd thee. [Dies. 

Pin. So, I am free ; yet would not so have been. 
Durst I have done my will, Cassius, 
Far from this country Pindarus shall run, ^^ 

Where never Eoman shall take note of him. [Exit. 

Re-enter Titinius with Messala. 

Mes. It is but change, Titinius: for Oct'avius 
Is overthrown by noble Brutus' power. 
As Cassius' legions are by Antony. 

Tit. These tidings will well comfort Cassius. ®" 

Mes. Where did you leave him? 

Tit. All disconsolate. 

With Pindarus his bondman, on this hill. 

Mes. Is not that he that lies upon the ground? 

Tit. He lies not like the living. O my heart ! ^^ 

Mes. Is not that he ? 

Tit. No, this was he, Messala, 



120 JULIUS C^SAR [Act V 

But Cassius is no more. setting sun, 

As in thy red rays thou dust sink to night, 

So in his red blood Cassius ' day is set ; ^° 

The sun of Rome is set ! Our day is gone ; 

Clouds, dews, and dangers come ; our deeds are done ! 

Mistrust of my success hath done this deed. 

Mes. Mistrust of good success hath done this deed. 
hateful error, melancholy's child, '^ 

"Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men 
The things that are not ? error, soon conceiv 'd, 
Thou never com'st unto a happy birth. 
But kill'st the mother that engender 'd thee! 

Tit. What, Pindarus ! where art thou, Pindarus ? ^° 

Mes. Seek him, Titinius, whilst I go to meet 
The noble Brutus, thrusting this report 
Into his ears ; I may say, thrusting it ; 
For piercing steel and darts envenomed 
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus ®^ 

As tidings of this sight. 

Tit. Hie you, Messala, 

And I will seek for Pindarus the while. [Exit Messala. 
Why didst thou send me forth, brave Cassius ? 
Did I not meet thy friends ? and did not they ^° 

Put on my brows this wreath of victory. 
And bid me give it thee? Didst thou not hear their 

shouts ? 
Alas, thou hast misconstrued every thing! 
But, hold thee, take this garland on thy brow ; 
Thy Brutus did me give it thee, and I ^^ 

Will do his bidding. Brutus, come apace, 
And see liow I regarded Caius Cassius. 
By your leave, gods : — this is a Roman 's part : 
Come, Cassius' sword, and find Titinius' heart. 

[Kills himself. 



Scene IV] JULIUS GM8AR 121 

Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young Cato, 
Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius. 

Bru. Where, where, Messala, doth his body lie? 

Mes. Lo, yonder, and Titinius mourning it. '^^^ 

Bru. Titinius' face is upward. 

Cato. ■ He is slain. 

Bru. Julius Csesar, thou art mighty yet! 
Thy spirit walks abroad, and turns our swords 
In our own proper entrails. [Low alarums. ^^^ 

Cato. Brave Titinius! 

Look, wher he have not crown 'd dead Cassius! 

Bru, Are yet two Romans living such as these ? 
The last of all the Romans, fare thee well ! 
It is impossible that ever Rome ^^^ 

Should breed thy fellow. Friends, I owe more tears 
To this dead man than you shall see me pay. 
I shall find time, Cassius, I shall find time. 
Come, therefore, and to Thasos send his body : 
His funerals shall not be in our camp, ^^^ 

Lest it discomfort us. Lucilius, come; 
And come, young Cato ; let us to the field. 
Labeo and Flavins, set our battles on : 
'T is three o 'clock ; and, Romans, yet ere night 
We shall try fortune in a second fight. [Exeunt. ^^^ 

Scene IV. Another part of the field. 

Alarum. Enter fighting, Soldiers of both armies; then 
Brutus, young Cato, Lucilius and others. 

Bru. Yet, countrymen, 0, yet hold up your heads ! 

Cato. What bastard doth not ? Who will go with me ? 
I will proclaim my name about the field : 
I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! 



122 JULIUS CM8AR [Act V 

A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend; ^ 

I am the son of Marcus Cato, ho ! 

Bru. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I ; 
Brutus, my country 's friend ; know me for Brutus ! 

[Exit. 

Lucil. young and noble Cato, art thou down ? 
Why, now thou diest as bravely as Titinius ; ^*^ 

And mayst be honor 'd, being Cato's son. 

First Sol. Yield, or thou diest. 

Lucil. Only I yield to die: 

There is so much that thou wilt kill me straight ; 

[Offering money. 
Kill Brutus, and be honor 'd in his death. ^^ 

First Sol. We must not. A noble prisoner ! 

Sec. Sol. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is ta'en. 

First Sol, I'll tell the news. Here comes the general. 
Enter Antony. 
Brutus is ta'en, Brutus is ta'en, my lord. 

Ant. Where is he? ^^ 

Lucil. Safe, Antony; Brutus is safe enough: 
I dare assure thee that no enemy 
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus: 
The gods defend him from so great a shame ! 
When you do find him, or alive or dead, ^^ 

He will be found like Brutus, like himself. 

Ant. This is not Brutus, friend ; but, I assure you, 
A prize no less in worth : keep this man safe ; 
Give him all kindness : I had rather have 
Such men my friends than enemies. Go on, ^° 

And see whether Brutus be alive or dead ; 
And bring us word unto Octavius' tent 
How everything is chanced. [Exeunt. 



Scene V] JULIUS CJS8AR 123 

Scene V. Another part of the field. 

Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and 

VOLUMNIUS. 

Bru. Come, poor remains of friends, rest on this rock. 

Cli. Statilius show'd the torch-light, but, my lord, 
He came not back : he is or ta'en or slain. 

Bru. Sit thee down, Clitus : slaying is the word ; 
It is a deed in fashion. Hark thee, Clitus. [Whispers. ^ 

Cli What, I, my lord? No, not for all the world. 

Bru. Peace then ! no words. 

Cli. I'll rather kill myself. 

Bru. Hark thee, Dardanius. [Whispers. 

Bar. Shall I do such a deed? " 

Cli. O Dardanius ! 

Dar, Clitus ! 

Cli. What ill request did Brutus make to thee? 

Bar. To kill him, Clitus. Look, he meditates. 

Cli. Now is that noble vessel full of grief, '^ 

That it runs over even at his eyes. 

Bru. Come hither, good Volumnius; list a word. 

Yol. What says my lord? 

;^ru. Why, this, Volumnius: 

The ghost of Caesar hath appear 'd to me ^° 

Two several times by night ; at Sardis once, 

His troops scattered and fleeing, Lucilius captured, and young 
Cato fallen, Brutus knew all possible hope of victory was gone, 
and with some of his faithful aides withdrew a little from the 
field. He foresaw what the end must shortly be, but listened to 
the battle shouts of the on-coming enemy with the perfect calm 
and serenity of spirit, which ever characterized him in times of 
great trial. Soon he must face the ignominy of becoming the 
prisoner of a fellow countryman. There was but one escape from 
this humiliation, and, his decision already made, he now awaited 
the moment of action. 



124 JULIUS C^SAR [Act V 

And, this last night, here in Philippi fields : 
I know my hour is come. 

Vol. Not so, my lord. 

Bru. Nay, I am sure it is, Volumnius. ^s 

Thou seest the world, Volumnius, how it goes ; 
Our enemies have beat us to the pit : [Low alarums. 

It is more worthy to leap in ourselves, 
Than tarry till they push us. Good Volumnius, 
Thou know 'st that we two went to school together : ^" 
Even for that our love of old, I prithee, 
Hold thou my sword-hilts, whilst I run on it. 

Vol. That^s not an office for a friend, my lord. 

[Alarum still. 

CIL Fly, fly, my lord ; there is no tarrying here. 

Bru. Farewell to you; and you; and you, Volum- 
nius. ^^ 
Strato, thou hast been all this while asleep ; 
Farewell to thee too, Strato. Countrymen, 
My heart doth joy that yet in all my life 
I found no man but he was true to me. 
I shall have glory by this losing day *® 
More than Octavius and Mark Antony 
By this vile conquest shall attain unto. 
So fare you well at once ; for Brutus ' tongue 
Hath almost ended his life 's history : 
Night hangs upon mine eyes ; my bones would rest, *^ 
That have but labor 'd to attain this hour. 

[Alarum. Cry within, ''Fly, fly, fly!" 

Cli. Fly, my lord, fly. 

Bru, Hence ! I will follow. 

[Exeunt Clitus, Dardanius, and Volumnius. 
I prithee, Strato, stay thou by thy lord : 
Thou art a fellow of a good respect; ^" 

Thy life hath had some smack of honor in it : 



Scene V] JULIUS C^SAB 125 

Hold then my sword, and turn away thy face, 
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato? 

Stra. Give me your hand first. Fare you well, my 
lord. 

Bru. Farewell, good Strato. [Buns on his sword.] ^^ 
Csesar, now be still: 
I kiird not thee with half so good a will. [Dies. 

Alarum. Retreat. Enter Octavius, Antony, Messala, 
LuciLius, a7id the Army. 

Oct. What man is that? 

Mes» My master 's man. Strato, where is thy master ? 

Stra. Free from the bondage you are in, Messala : ®° 
The conquerors can but make a fire of him ; 
For Brutus only overcame himself, 
And no man else hath honor by his death. 

Lucil. So Brutus should be found. I thank thee, 
Brutus, 
That thou hast prov 'd Lucilius ' saying true. ®® 

Oct. All that serv'd Brutus, I will entertain them. 
Fellow, wilt thou bestow thy time with me ? 

Stra. Ay, if Messala will prefer me to you. 

Oct. Do so, good Messala. 

Mes. How died my master, Strato ? ^° 

Stra. I held the sword, and he did run on it. 

Mes. Octavius, then take him to follow thee, 
That did the latest service to my master. 

Ant. This was the noblest Eoman of them all. 
All the conspirators save only he ^® 

Did that they did in envy of great Caesar ; 
He only, in a general honest thought 
And common good to all, made one of them. 
His life was gentle, and the elements 
So mix 'd in him that Nature might stand up ^° 

And say to all the world ''This w«s a man!" 



126 JULIUS C^SAB [Act V 

Oct. According to his virtue let us use him, 
With all respect and rites of burial. 
Within my tent his bones to-night shall lie, 
Most like a soldier, order 'd honorably. ^® 

So call the field to rest ; and let 's away 
To part the glories of this happy day. [Exeunt. 



GLOSSARY 



Antonius (an-to'ni-us) 
Artemidorus (ar't'e-me-do'rus 
Ate (ah'tay) 
Brutus (bro'tus) 
Csesar (se'zar) 
Calpurnia (kal-per'ni-a) 
Casca (kas'ka) 
Cassius (kash'ius) 
Castor (kas'tor) 
Cinna (sin'a) . 
Claudius (kla'di-us) 
Clitus (kli-tus) 
Dardanius (dar-da'ni-us) 
Epicurus (ep-i-ku'rus) 
Erebus (er'e-bus) 
Flavius (fla'vi-us) 



Hybla (hi'bla) 
)Labeo (la'be-6) 
Lucilius (lu-siri-us) 
Lucius (lu'shius) 
Mesalla (me-sa'la) 
Nervii (ner'vi-i) 
Pindarus (pin-dar'us) 
PoUus (poruks) 
Pompey (pom'pi) 
Portia (por'shia) 
Sardis (sar'dis) 
Strato (stra'to) 
Thassos (thas'sos) 
Trebonius (tre-bo'ni-us) 
Varro (var'o) 
Volumnius (vo-lum'ni-us) 



NOTES 



ACT I, Scene 1. 

3. It is interesting to know that elsewhere in Shakespeare 
ought is always followed by to. 

10. Respect, in comparison with. 

11. Cobbler, a term then applied to all unskilled workmen, 
regardless of their trade. 

13. Directly, plainly, in a straightforward manner. 

27. Proper, estimable. 

28. Neat's-leather, cowhide or calfskin. 

35. Rome was pronounced room in Shakespeare's day, and 
should be so read in this drama. 

47. The Tiber is "Father Tiber" as the Mississippi is the 
"Father of Waters," but in the poet's day the gender of the 
possessive pronoim was frequently confused when thus employed. 

127 



128 JULIUS C.^SAB 

48. Replication, echo. 

56. Intermit, in the sense of remit, meaning to abate. 
63. Wher, a contraction of whether, occurring elsewhere in 
this drama. 

66. The images were the busts and statues of Caesar. 

67. Deck'd with ceremony, decorated for the occasion. 

69. The feast of Lupercal was a religious festival held on the 
15th of February, in honor of Lupercus, the Roman Pan, pri- 
marily known as the god of the shepherds, because he was thought 
to keep away the wolves. It was his wife, the deified she-wolf, 
Luperca, who mothered the infant Romulus, the founder of Rome. 
February, so called from Februus, a surname of Lupercus, was 
then the last month of the Roman year, and this festival was 
regarded as an occasion of religious expiation and purification. 

71. Trophies, mementoes of the war and decorations in honor 
of Caesar and his victories. 

72. Vulgar, common people. 

ACT I, Scene 2 

9. Antony was a priest in one of the religious orders of 
Rome which participated in "the holy course," a prominent fea- 
ture of the feast of Lupercal. These men, clad only in the skin 
of a wild animal, ran through the city carrying in their hands 
leather thongs, with which they struck those they met on their 
way. It was believed that if a woman who wished to become a 
mother were to be struck by a priest running in this chase she 
would realize her desires, so Caesar having long wished for an 
heir, which he had been denied, thus cautioned Calpurnia and 
Antony. 

20. Shakespeare's Caesar is deaf in the left ear, but there is 
no reference in history to such an affliction. 

21. For convenience in calculation the old Roman calendar 
was divided into nones and ides, the latter being the 15th of 
March, May, July, and October, and the 13th of all other months. 

23. Soothsayer, a truthteller, one who foretells future events. 

32. Gamesome, sportive, frolicsome. 

33. Quick, lively, animated. 

38. An indiscriminate use of as for that, occurring elsewhere 
in this drama. 

44. Merely, only, entirely. 



NOTES J29 



moods ^J^^r^P'^^y^P^oy^ the word passions in speaking of 
moods and the emotions generally. 

In his youth Brutus came under the influence of his uncle 
Cato who bore Caesar such an intense hatred that he comm"t d 

"h?d td h-^" t": '"'''' "'^ ""'• «™*-' -""ons w h 
AmZ 1 ? " '''™ "" "'^"''^y "'fferent opinion of the 

d ctator, unt.l recently when Caesar's conduct at various times 
had seemed to confirm Cato's prophecy. Naturally the v ews o 

him with doubt and fear as to Casar's purposes. 

47. SO'I perhaps to my behavior, mars my behavior. 

dnuht'l T , '"''*'^'"' -ot uncommon in Shakespeare, but 

doubtless here employed to avoid the extra syllable. 
59. 'Tls just, quite true. 

76. Jealous, frequently employed by Shakespeare in the sense 
of^suspicous. The use of „„ for of quite common in the poet's 

ship? ligMr" '"'""' ' ''""' "'"' ""' """ ■'■""^ ^'^ '-"^- 

78. Stale, cheapen. 

l„v?h '"r t!"""- ^'™"''^ ^™*"^ *•">* he does not cheapen his 
love by lightly giving it to all who seek his regard. Neither doc 
he flatter and make much of people, then speal ill of them- no 
meets " '" '"^""^''^ "'"""°" "^ ^'"'^"^ '' t° «" "e 
83. Profess, pledge his friendship. 

97' lavfr' t™'' ''''''' 7 '""'P'"- ^^^'1"«"* '" Shakespeare. 

97. Favor, appearance, feature and countenance freouentlv 

employed m the same sense by the poet fequently 

n4 slnL^'\?' """!;^'^- P^-°™-d the same as live, 
lis' Inel' I f^-i °>««'^>es, all the same in Shakespeare, 

lis. .ffineas, one of the heroes of Troy 

of^'ineat'"'''' ' '""' "' '''' ™^^' '""'''' <" ^^^ -^ father 

„f^\°' ,^.'^ *°™ °* *''" °^"*<"' possessive until the latter part 

1^5. Temper, temperament, constitution 

142. Colossus, refers to the statue of Apollo at Rhodes which 
fable credits with having stood astride the mouth of the port 
huge vessels passing between its legs ^ ' 



230 JULIUS C2E8AB 

146. A reference to the old astrological theory regarding the 
influence on a man's fortunes of the planet under which he was 
born. 

150. Meaning, Brutus looks as well, sounds as well, and con- 
tains as many letters as Ccesar. 

153. Will start a spirit, certain names in ancient times were 
supposed to possess the power to conjure up spirits. 

165. Refers to Lucius Junius. 

169. Work, arouse, provoke. Aim, guess. 

187. Proceeded, occurred. 

203. Well given, well intentioned. 

204. Plutarch records that once when friends cautioned Caesar 
about Antony, he replied, "As for those fat men and smooth- 
combed heads, I never reckon of them; but these pale-visaged and 
carrion-lean people," meaning Cassius, "I fear them most." 

233. Sad, grave, serious. 

227. Back of his hand, a weak gesture, only employed when we 
wish to put things by temporarily. Had Caesar rejected the crown 
with the palm of his hand, Antony would hardly have presumed 
to offer it again. 

234. Marry, the name of the Virgin Mary invoked in oaths, 
frequently used in the poet's time to express surprise and con- 
tempt. 

236. Honest, expresses Casca's contempt for the populace. 
260. Falling-sickness, epilepsy. 

271. Pluck'd me ope his doublet, 'pluck'd ope his doublet.' 
Me superfluous, a form of redundancy not uncommon among the 
poets of the period. 

272. An in the sense of if. Frequent in Shakespeare. 

Man of any occupation, probably means one not only skillful 
with sharp tools but accustomed to acting and thinking quickly. 

290. Cicero was a politician, cautious and farsighted. He 
delivered his remarks in Greek, a language unknown to the com- 
mon people, to prevent their misconstruing his statements. It 
was an uncertain period; there were two factions in Rome, and 
wisely he had no intention of immediately declaring his views. 
We know Casca to have been acquainted with Greek, nor, despite 
many commentators to the contrary, do his remarks here indicate 
he was not. What Casca intends to imply is that Cicero's care- 
fully chosen words, beautiful phrases and splendid delivery pro- 
duced a strong impression; but his remarks were not intelligible 



NOTES 



131 



to Casca, not because they were in Greek, but because the mean- 
ing was too artfully veiled for his slow mind to grasp it. Casca 
was not quick-witted, so it was Greek to him as well as the 
common people. 

291. Marullus and Flavins were deprived of their tribuneships. 

301. Blunt, here apparently means dull, possibly curt or abrupt. 

319. Bears me hard, distrusts, endures with a grudge. 

ACT I, Scene 3 

1. Did you accompany him home. 
3. Sway, order, system. 
15. You would know him to be a common slave by his appear- 



ance. 



23. Drawn upon a heap, drawn together in a crowd. 

30. Casca was referring to the Epicureans, who explained all 
uncommon happenings by attributing them to natural causes. 

32. Shakespeare several times employs the word climate in 
the sense of country or region. 

35. Meaning man's superstition and fear may lead him to 
attach a moral significance to conditions resulting from the opera- 
tion of natural laws and forces. 

45. Meaning what a night is this. 

51. Unbraced, unfastened. 

52. Thunder-stone, thunder bolt. 

53. Cross blue lightning, zigzag, 

63. Case yourself in wonder, assume an expression and atti- 
tude of wonder. 

65. Cassius was an Epicurean, and as such attached no moral 
significance to the storm, but speaks as if he regarded it to be 
a warning of the gods to bring himself into closer sympathy 
with the superstitious, fear-shaken Casca, whose confidence he is 
seeking to gain. 

67. Quality is characteristics. Kind is nature. When birds 
and beasts change their characteristics or nature, as did the lion 
and owl. 

68. Fool, idle their time away. 

69. The meaning here is rather confused, but the idea is 
consider why these birds and animals, even old men and children 
change from what is natural, ordained or intended, to the unusual. 

71. Monstrous, abnormal, unnatural. Frequent in Shakespeare. 



132 JULIUS C^SAR 

86. With frequently used in Shakespeare's time in the sense 
of by or on. 

98. Retentive, restrain or repress. 

110. Hinds, probably used in a double sense of female deer 
and domestic servant or peasant. 

116. Cassius purposely speaks as if in doubt of Casca's sym- 
pathy to draw him out. 

121. Hold, my hand, meaning, Hold, here is my hand. 
Fleering, one who artfully obtains the confidence of another, 

then mockingly betrays it. 

122. Shakespeare several times employs griefs in the sense of 
grievances in this drama. 

129. Unusual hyphenated words, as honorable-dangerous, 
meaning an enterprise of honorable yet dangerous consequences, 
are frequently to be noted in this drima. 

136. Close, concealed. 

150. The office of praetor was very similar to that of judge in 
our day. Brutus and Cassius had been rival candidates for the 
post of chief praetor of Rome, Brutus winning the appointment 
through Caesar's favor. 

166. Alchemy, the ideal art by means of which ancient 
scientists and magicians sought to change the baser metals into 
gold. 

169. Conceited, estimated. 

ACT II, Scene 1. 

12. General, the public cause. 

14. It is well known that on bright days snakes come out 
to bask in the sun, and Brutus here wonders if the sunshine of 
royalty will not bring forth the serpent in Caesar. 

19. Remorse is doubtless conscience, while affections refers 
to the emotions, as elsewhere in Shakespeare, and reason is 
judgment. 

21. Common proof, common experience or observation. 

26. Base degrees, lower steps. Degree is here employed in 
its early sense of step, while base as elsewhere in Shakespeare 
means lower. 

28. Quarrel, cause. 

44. Exhalations, has reference to the flashes of lightning. 



NOTES 133 

Shakespeare elsewhere employs the noun and also the verb in 
referring to meteors or meteoric lights. 

66. Genius doubtless refers to the spiritual nature, man's 
guiding genius, while the mortal instruments are the physical 
powers and emotions. 

75. Shakespeare arrays the conspirators in the garb of gentle- 
men of the Elizabethan period. 

87. Erebus, a place of darkness, through which according to 
mythology, the spirits of the dead passed on their way to Hades. 

88. Prevention, discpvery. 
111. As instead of where. 
113. Weighing, considering. 
115. High, perfect. 

119. It has been suggested by some commentators this should 
read the fate of men, but it might also refer to the changed 
expression to be noted in the faces of a liberty-loving people 
suddenly brought under the rule of a tyrant. 

120. Shakespeare employs sufferance in the sense of suffering. 

123. Tyranny here as elsewhere in this drama means royalty. 

124. Brutus has in mind the uncertainty of life experienced by 
the subjects of tyrants in the Orient, where the most trivial 
offences were punishable by death. 

131. Palter, resort to trickery. 

134. Cautelous, treacherous, deceitful. 

139. Insuppressive, insuppressible. 

152. Break with him, confide in him. 

160. Of for m. 

167. Envy, malice, hatred. 

191. Meaning all Antony can do is to grieve himself to death, 
and he is much too fond of life, happy and care-free to do that. 

208. Decius Brutus, supposedly a cousin of Marcus Brutus, 
was one of Caesar's most efficient, highly trusted and favorite 
aides, and on opening the Dictator's will he was found to be 
second heir. The place he occupied in the affections of Caesar, 
Shakespeare has accorded Marcus Brutus. 

210. Refers to the ancient reputed method of catching wild 
animals. To catch unicorns the hunter would stand before a tree, 
until the animal, running at full speed, was almost upon him 
when he would spring behind the tree. The unicorn would thus 
thrust his horns so far into the tree that it was impossible for 



134 JULIUS C^SAR 

him either to defend himself or escape. Elephants were enticed 
into pitfalls; and mirrors were placed before bears, who would 
then be shot while gazing at themselves. 

201. In his earlier years, Caesar was a follower of Epicurus, 
the Greek philosopher, but as he grew older he came to have 
more faith in signs and omens, and on more than one occasion 
is known to have sought the opinion of the gods before deciding 
upon a course of action. It was simply a human desire to be 
guided by the judgment of a higher authority, found in those 
days in the interpretations of the augurs, and the strange cere- 
monies offered by the priests to many gods. 

224. By him, by his house. 

237. Fantasies, cares, real or imagined. 

257. Humor, here means mood or temper. 

261. Condition is disposition. 

268. Shakespeare employs physical in the sense of wholesome, 

269. Humors refers to those ills, such as fever or ague, then 
supposed to be contracted in the damp chill of the early morning 
hours. 

273. In the poet's time the word rheum applied to any dis- 
charge from the nose, eyes or lungs; rheumy therefore probably 
refers to those ailments directly affecting the organs mentioned, 
or possibly rheumatism. 

313. Charactery is defined as writing by characters or strange 
marks. Brutus means therefore that he will reveal to her the 
secret which has wrought such a change in his expression and 
manner. 

320. Refers to the bandage Ligarius wore about his head. 

328. Exorcist, one possessing the power to call up spirits by 
magical power. 

329. Mortified spirit, my spirit which was dead. 



ACT II, Scene 2. 

6. Their opinion of what is going to occur whether it be 
good or ill. 

13. Meaning I never attached any significance to signs or 
omens. 

21. Hurtle, to clash, to rush violently, noisily. 

24. Beyond all use, out of the usual, uncommon. 



NOTES 135 

29. That is they apply no more to Caesar than people 
generally, 

40. The ancients regarded the breast as the seat of bravery. 
92. Cognizance is here employed in the sense of relics or 
tokens, such as are preserved of the saints and martyrs. 
99. Mock, jest or joke. 
107. Decius, apologizing for presuming to oifer advice, means 
that the deference reason or custom demands him to pay Caesar 
is subject to that love which has no thought save the other's 
welfare. 

111. Publius was not one of the conspirators, and his arrival 
at this hour was simply a coincidence. 

134, Like usually means the same as, but Brutus is distressed 
on reflecting that here it does not. 

ACT II, Scene 4. 

7. Security frequently develops over-confidence and negli- 
gence, thus preparing a way for conspiracy. 

12. Meaning virtue is always exposed to the malicious deeds 
of envious rivals. 

ACT III, Scene 1. 

35. Plutarch says a senator called Popilius Lena, after 
pleasantly greeting Brutus and Cassius, said, "I pray the gods 
you may go through with that you have taken in hand; but, 
withal, dispatch, I read you, for your enterprise is bewrayed." 

43. Pre-ordinance, an ordinance or law already established. 
A decree in Roman law was the decision of an emperor, such a 
decision becoming a part of the imperial constitution, just as the 
decisions of the court in certain cases in our own country are 
used as a guide in rendering a judgment in all similar cases. 
Caesar means that were he to grant their plea his act would 
detract from the dignity of the law by turning it into the play 
of children, who change their games to suit their fancy. 

44. Fond, foolish. That is be not so foolish as to think, etc. 
56. To repeal, that is to recall by repealing. 

76. Unshak'd of motion, unmoved, not subject to emotion. 

81. Olympus, mountain home of the gods. 

83. Bootless, without profit or success. 

103. Abide, be responsible or suffer for. 

131. What, here used as we would employ well. 



136 JULIUS C^SAB 

134. The doubling of superlatives and comparatives, likewise 
negatives, not uncommon in Shakespeare's time. 

144. Resolved, informed. Found elsewhere. 

160. This was the second time Brutus and Cassius had differed 
in their opinion of Antony, whom Cassius' shrewd understanding 
of human nature enabled him to read correctly, as later events 
proved. But Brutus, whose actions were always guided by honest 
and honorable impulses was not suspicious; while Cassius, who 
gained his ends by indirect methods, suspected others of doing 
the same. 

166. Be let blood, murdered. Rank, possessing too great 
authority or power. 

174. Apt in the sense of ready. 

192. Again the practical-minded, clear-sighted Cassius reveals 
his splendid understanding of human nature. He knew Mark 
Antony to be too matter-of-fact and ambitious to be deeply 
impressed by Brutus' idealism, in his remarks about "kind love, 
good thoughts, and reverence.'* 

207. Conceit me, conceive of me, imagine. 

221. Lethe, a poetic term for death. 

228. Shall, in the old sense of must. 

229. Modesty, moderation. 

232. It was customary at that time to make up lists of 
prominent citizens and when it was desired for any purpose to 
distinguish certain ones the margin of the papyrus opposite their 
names was pricked. 

234. Therefore, for that reason, to that end. 

253. Cassius did not deem it advisable to permit Antony to 
speak at Caesar's funeral under any circumstances, especially 
doubting the wisdom of allowing him to speak last. Unthinking 
minds are not reached through their reason, but through their 
emotions, and he knew how easily the people were influenced, 
and how readily they accepted the opinions of the last speaker. 
He also knew how great a power Antony could exercise over his 
hearers, how quickly he could appeal to their sympathies, how 
easily win their hearts. 

282. Limbs of men has called forth a great difference of 
opinion on the part of the commentators, some maintaining it 
should be minds. It doubtless means that the curse shall spread 
to the people of this time and possibly to succeeding generations. 

291. Ate was the goddess of discord and mischief. 



NOTES 1^7 

293. Havoc was an expression employed in battle in ancient 
times permitting the soldiers to indulge in the most brutal 
destruction. This signal was never given save at the command 
of the general-in-chief, who was oftentimes the monarch. 

ACT III, Scene 2. 

14. Lovers, a synonym for friend. 

17. Censure, judge. Frequent. 

40. Extenuated, undervalued. 

41. Enforced, not exaggerated or magnified. 

52. Caesar subsequently became the title of the ruler of 
Rome, but was not such at this time. 

97. Caesar paid into the public treasury much of the money 
raised by his military campaign in Gaul, which act was not 
customary among the military leaders of that period. 

103. Lupercal, day of the feast of Lupercal. 

129. The lowliest of the low, he is now beneath the reverence 
of the most humble citizen. 

142. Napkins, handkerchiefs. 

181. Caesar's victory over the Nervii, a tribe of ancient Gaul, 
Was his most notable military exploit. 

183. Envious, in the old sense of malicious. 

205. Marr'd is mangled. With again employed as hy. 

228. Wit, formerly employed in the sense of understanding. 

250. Drachma, a Greek coin equivalent to about nineteen 
cents in our time. Each citizen thus received fourteen dollars, 
practically equivalent to one hundred dollars now. 

267. Forms, long seats or benches. 

ACT IV, Scene 1. 

5. Shakespeare has here been guilty of a historical error, 
according to Plutarch who states this was Lucius Caesar, not 
Publius, and Antony's maternal uncle instead of his nephew. 
7. Damn, often employed in the sense of condemn. 
13. IJhmeritable, undeserving. 

40. The man Antony describes is without the finer elements 
of imagination or artistic appreciation, and lacking initiative 
and the keener powers of discrimination, he is guided in his 
tastes by the judgment of other people. 



138 JULIUS C^SAR 

45. Levying powers, raising forces. Make lead, lead forth an 
army. 

ACT IV, Scene 2. 

7. Ill officers, dishonest or untrustworthy officers. 
25. Hot at hand means hot in hand, difficult to control. 
28. They let fall their crests. 

50. Enlarge, give expression to your grief. 

ACT IV, Scene 3. 

5. Slighted off, we would now omit the off. 

8. Nice here employed in the sense of small, petty. 

21. Meaning who among the conspirators was such a villain 
as, to have stabbed Csesar for any reason save the public good. 
35. Go to is employed in a variety of senses, as hush up, come 
on, or he off. 

43. Choler is wrath, unreasonable anger, 
81. Indirection, trickery, dishonorable means. 
86. Rascal, meaning worthless. Counters, imitation coins 
used in calculating. Brutus thus expresses his contempt for gold 
and silver and all other mediums of exchange. 

104. Brav'd, defied. 

110. Plutus, the god of wealth, supposed by the ancient 
Romans to have control over the gold of the world, 

118. Dishonor shall be humor. Meaning hereafter when you 
are guilty of a dishonorable act I shall attribute it to a whim or 
the weakness of the moment. 

164. Call in question, consider or discuss. 

193. Once, sometime. 

198. Alive, probably to our work which is urgent, or concerned 
with the living. 

205. Offence, injury. 

229. Ventures, that which has been adventured or risked, 

254. Knave, a term of tender familiarity used in addressing 
those of lower rank, just as one might now say "little beggar," 

282. Mace was formerly employed for sceptre, 

289. The coming of a ghost was supposed to make the lights 
burn dimly. 

323. Betimes, before time, early, in good season. 



2fOTE8 139 

ACT V, Scene 1. 

4. The word battle was frequently employed for army, 
especially when the men were arranged for action. It is here 
used in the plural because Brutus and Cassius each had an army, 
but they co-operated in action. 

5. Warn, challenge. 

10. Fearful bravery, probably bravery born of fear, bravado. 
21. I will do so, meaning "I will do as I have said." 

35. Posture, probably nature or quality. Are, carelessness. 

36. Hybla, a city of ancient Sicily noted for the fine flavor 
of its honey. 

56. Cffisar is generally supposed to have had but twenty- 
three wounds, but it has been claimed that Antistius, the physician 
summoned to attend him at his home, found thirty-five. 

71. Stomachs, appetites. 

82. Refers to the battle of Pharsalia, where, against his 
better judgment, Pompey was forced into action by the impatience 
of his officers, and although the number of his troops exceeded 
those of C£Esar, he was defeated. It was there Cassius surrendered 
to Caesar. 

87. Ensign, means either the flag or bearer of it. 
106. Reason, consider. 

ACT V, Scene 3. 

23. Yonder troops, Messala and his escort. 

40. Cassius here reveals that quality of character which had 
won Brutus' admiration. 

43. Parthia, a country in western Asia which formed the 
nucleus of the Parthian empire. It was a powerful nation and 
frequently engaged in war with ancient Rome. 

49. Hilts, the plural form often employed in the poet's time 
in the singular sense. Also true of funeral, line 115 this scene. 
114. Thasos, an island in the Aegean sea, and a free city under 
the Romans. . . 

118. Labeo and Flavins are not listed in the characters of the 
drama because they have not speaking roles. Labeo was one of 
the assassins of Caesar. 

120. The poet here represents the battles as occurring the 
same day, but Brutus' final contest came twenty days later. 



140 JULIUS CmSAR 

ACT V, Scene 5. 

2. Plutarch states that Brutus thought no great number of 
men had been slain in the battle, but to make certain one 
Statilius promised to go through the enemy's lines. If all were 
well he was to lift up his torch, and then return with all speed. 
Long after he had given the signal Brutus said, "If Statilius be 
alive, he will come again," but already this brave spy had been 
captured and slain. 

50. Good respect, well esteemed, of good repute. 

66. Entertain, receive into his service. 

68. Prefer, refer, recommend. 



STUDY HELPS. 
ACT I, Scene 1. 

1. Comment on the characters of Flavins and MaruUus. Were 
they justified in thus addressing the citizens Does their anger 
make them appear weak, or is it suited to the dignity of their 
office? Why? 

2. What is the significance of "basest metal?" 

3. Were the citizens "tongue-tied in their guiltiness ?" 

4. Comment on the Second Citizen. Who is shown to better 
advantage, he or Marullus? 

5. Give examples of puns from this scene. 

Make a list of all the words with which you are unfamiliar 
in this scene and define them. Are any employed in an unusual 
sense ? 

ACT I, Scene 2. 

1. What is your impression of Csesar? How was he affected 
by the soothsayer's words? 

2. What was troubling Brutus? 

3. To what did Cassius attribute the change in the manner 
of Brutus? 

4. How does Cassius regard Caesar? To what do you attribute 
his attitude? 

5. What was Csesar's opinion of Cassius? Mark Antony's? 

6. What are Casca's most striking characteristics? How was 



STUDY HELPS 141 

he impressed by the incident of the crown? What is his opinion 
of Csesar? How does he regard Antony? 

7. Why does Cassius invite Casca to dine with him? 

8. What particular quality in Casca's nature appeals to 
Brutus? To Cassius? 

9. Who appears to best advantage in this scene? Why? 
Explain the following lines considered in their relation to the 

context : 

Stemming it with hearts of controversy. (115) 

Bear the palm alone. (137) 

Bestride the narrow world. (141) 

Thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods. (157) 

Than to repute himself a son of Rome. (179) 

Ferret and such fiery eyes. (192) 

If my name were liable to fear. (205) 

Thy honorable metal may be wrought 

From what it is dispos'd: therefore it is meet 

That noble minds keep ever with their likes; 

For whom so firm that cannot be seduc'd? (315) 

For we shall shake him, or worse days endure. (328) 

Note the words with which you are unfamiliar, observing their 

meaning and use in the text. 

ACT I, Scene 3. 

1. Who is the most dignified character in this chapter? What 
quality do you admire in him? Why? 

2. What do you think of Casca here? What do you regard 
as his most prominent characteristic? How did his recital 
impress Cicero? 

3. What did Cicero mean when he asked Casca if he saw "any 
thing more wonderful?" 

4. What is the "bird of night?'' 

5. How did the storm affect Cassius ? Why did he attach any 
significance to the night's happenings? What man does he com- 
pare to the night? 

6. Do you note anything unusual in lines 161 and 162? 
Explain the following lines: 

Riv'd knotty oaks. (6) 

To be exalted with the threatening clouds. (8) 

Not sensible of fire. (18) 



142 JULIUS G^SAR 

Transformed with their fear. (24) ' 

And those sparks of life. (60) 
Began it with weak straws. (112) 
A willing bondman. (117) 
I will set this foot of mine as far 
As who goes farthest. (124) 
Is favor'd like the work we have in hand. (134) 
One incorporate to our attempt. (142) 
Am I not stayed for. (145) 

Note the words with which you are not familiar, study their 
meaning and observe their usage in the text. 

ACT II, Scene 1. 

1. What is your impression of Brutus in this scene? What 
particular quality in him calls forth your admiration? 

2. Comment on Lucius. 

3. What change, if any, is to be noted in Brutus' opinion of 
Csesar since the day of the triumph? 

4. What, in your opinion, was the true motive of Cassius in 
organizing the conspiracy ? Of Decius, Cinna, Metellus Cimber, 
and Casca in joining it? 

5. What is your impression of Decius? 

6. What particular quality of character do the conspirators 
possess in common? Why were they anxious to have Brutus join 
them? 

7. Describe the character of Portia. What do you consider 
to be her most admirable quality? Comment freely. In which 
lines does she most clearly reveal her strength of character? 

8. What is your opinion of Ligarius? Judging by his con- 
versation with Brutus what do you consider to have been his 
motive in joining the conspiracy? 

Explain the following lines: 

I would it were my fault to sleep so soundly. (4) 

To spurn at him. (11) 

That craves wary walking. (15) 

Will bear no color for the thing he is. (29) 

The sufferance of our souls, the time's abuse. (120) 

The melting spirits of women. (127) 

Our youths and wildness shall no whit appear, 

But all be buried in his gravity. (150) 



STUDY HELPS 143 

Let not our looks put on our purpose. (331) 
Why you are heavy. (282) 

Set on your foot; 
And with a heart new-fired I follow you. (337) 
Make a list of all the unfamiliar words, carefully noting their 
meaning and usage in the text. 

ACT II, Scene 2. 

1. What is your impression of Calpurnia? Whom do you 
admire the more, her or Portia? Why? 

2. What do you think of Caesar in this scene? What change, 
if any do you note in his manner? To what do you attribute it? 

3. How do you regard the conduct of Decius? 
Explain the following lines: 

Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods. (27) 
Have I in conquest stretch'd mine arm so far. (69) 

For warnings, and portents. 
And evils imminent. (83) 

Make a list of all unfamiliar words, explaining their meaning 
and carefully noting their usage in the text. 

ACT III, Scene 1. 

1. Why did Decius wish to prevent Artemidorus from present- 
ing his schedule ? What was Publius' purpose in assisting him ? 

2. Comment on Cassius' manner in the early portion of this 
scene. 

3. What is your impression of Caesar here? 

4. Can you name any other ruler who was assassinated while 
directing the nation's affairs with wisdom and intelligence? 

5. To which star does Caesar refer in line 71? 

6. Why does Brutus tell Mark Antony that for him their 
swords "have leaden points?" 

7. What, if any, difference do you note in the motives of the 
conspirators ? Comment freely. 

8. Why did Antony bid his servant appeal to Brutus rather 
than Cassius? 

9. What is your impression of Antony here? Wherein did 
Brutus and Cassius differ in their opinion of him ? With whom 
do you agree? Why? 



144 JULIUS C^SAR 

Explain the following lines: 

That will be thaw'd from the true quality. (46) 

'tis but the time, 
And drawing days out, that men stand upon. (110) 
And we will grace his heels 

With the most boldest and best hearts of Rome. (134) 
I know that we shall have him well to friend. (157) 
Falls shrewdly to the purpose. (160) 
My credit stands on such slippery ground 
That one of two bad ways you must conceit me. (206) 
Shall it grieve thee dearer than thy death. (211) 
Here wast thou bay'd brave hart. (219) 
Our reasons are so full of good regard. (240) 
Carefully note all unfamiliar words, studying their meaning 

and usage in the text. 

ACT III, Scene 2. 

1. How does Brutus' speech impress you? What is your 
opinion of it as a defense of their deed? Wherein lies its 
greatest strength? How did it affect the people? How would 
it have impressed a more cultured and intelligent audience? 

2. Why did Brutus insist upon the citizens remaining to hear 
Antony ? 

3. Was Antony's task greater than that of Brutus ? Why ? 

4. Wherein does his oration differ from that of Brutus? 
Which is the stronger? Why? How did Antony appeal to the 
people? How did Brutus? 

4. What of the character of Caesar as described by Antony? 
Wherein did his estimate of the man differ from that of Brutus ? 
To what do you attribute this difference of opinion? Which 
character is the more consistent with history? 

5. What do you think would have been the result if Brutus 
had spoken last? 

6. Was it Antony's purpose to pay tribute to Caesar or to 
vanquish the conspirators? 

7. How do you think he felt regarding his own safety? Why? 
Explain the following lines: 

What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? (Ill) 
Let but the commons hear this testament. (139) 
The dint of pity. (202) 



STUDY HELPS 145 

What private griefs they have, alas, I know not. (220) 
He comes upon a wish. Fortune is merry, 
And in this mood will give us any thing. (276) 
Carefully note all new words, studying their meaning and usage 
in text. 

ACT IV, Scene 1. 

1. Wliat is your impression of Octavius here? Comment on 
his attitude toward Antony and Lepidus? How does he regard 
the latter? 

2. What is Antony's opinion of Lepidus? 

3. Which of these men do you admire the most? Why? 
Explain the following lines: 

To ease ourselves of divers slanderous loads. (22) 
His corporal motion governed by my spirit. (36) 
Our best friends made, our means stretch'd. (47) 
How covert matters may be best disclosed. (49) 
For we are at the stake. (51) 
Millions of mischief. (54) 

Make a list of all words with which you are not familiar, 
carefully study their meaning and use in the text. 

ACT IV, Scene 2. 

1. What do you think of Cassius' greeting to Brutus ? Of the 
latter's response? What striking characteristics are thus 
revealed by each? 

Explain the following lines: 

He is not doubted. (14) 

Let me be resolved. (15) 

But not with such familiar instances. (17) 

It useth an enforced ceremony. (23) 

Note all unfamiliar words, studying their meaning with particu- 
lar attention to their use in the text. 

ACT IV, Scene 3. 

1. What do you think of Brutus in this scene? Of Cassius? 
Who is the stronger, more dignified? Why do you think so? 

2. What do you admire most in the character of Brutus? 
Comment freely upon his grief at Portia^s loss, and his attitude 
toward death. What do you think of his standards of conduct? 
What particular qualities do you note in him that are worthy 



146 JULIUS CMSAR 

of emulation? What did he think of Cassius' conduct? What do 
you think were his favorite pastimes? 

3. How did Cassius feel about Brutus' criticism? What is 
your opinion of his honesty? Comment on his standards of 
conduct. What was his purpose in offering Brutus his sword? 

4. Wherein did Brutus and Cassius differ in their views about 
advancing to Philippi? Whose plan seems to you to have been 
the better? Why? 

Explain the following lines: 
Praying on his side. (4) 

Are much condemned to have an itching palm. (10) 
And chastisement doth therefore hide his head.. (17) 
To hedge me in. (32) 
By any indirection. (81) 

Which we will niggard with a little rest. (234) 
Make a list of all words with which you are unfamiliar, care- 
fully noting their meaning and usage in the text. 

ACT V, Scene 1. 

1. What is your impression of Octavius in this scene? Of 
Antony ? 

2. How do you think Cassius felt regarding their undertaking ? 

3. What was the attitude of Brutus? To what do you 
attribute it? 

4. To what did Cassius refer when he said: 

"This tongue had not offended so today, 
If Cassius might have ruled." 

5. Whose and what remarks had Antony in mind when he 
Baid: "Old Cassius still." 

Explain the following lines: 

To fasten in our thoughts that they have courage. (11) 
And something to be done immediately. (16) 
Make a list of the unfamiliar words, giving careful attention 
to their meaning and use in the text. 

ACT V, Scene 3. 

1. Comment freely on Cassius' bravery and his death. What 
do you think the general of a modern army would do under 
similar circumstances? 



STUDY HELPS 147 

2. What is your impression of Titinius, Messala, Lucilius, 
and Cato? 

3. Why did Cassius send Titinius to learn "whether yond 
troops are friend or enemy." 

Explain the following lines: 
His soldiers fell to spoil. (14) 
And where I did begin, there shall I end. (31) 
Lest it discomfort us. (121) 

Observe the unfamiliar words, carefully studying their meaning 
and usage. 

ACT V, Scene 4. 

Why does Lucilius say when captured, "Kill Brutus and be 
honored in his death?" 

ACT V, Scene 5. 

1. Antony pronounced Brutus "the noblest Roman of them 
all," what is your opinion? Why do you think so? 

2. What do you think of his idea of patriotism? 

3. What are your favorite lines in the drama? 

4. Which character do you admire the most? Why? 

5. Do you think the play is rightly named? Why? 
Explain these lines: 

According to his virtue let us use him. (82) 
Order'd honorably. (85) 
To part the glories of this happy day. (87) 
Carefully note all new words, giving careful attention to their 
meaning and usage in the text. 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 

Although certain traditions govern the staging of the 
Shakespearean dramas, every actor exercises his individ- 
uality through personal preference in the matter of 
details, which explains the differences to be observed in 
the business, properties and stage effects in every pro- 
duction. 

The directions offered are designed as a general guide 
for the teacher who has never witnessed a production of 
the drama, or who has had little experience in the staging 
of plays. 

The following rules should be observed in all stage 
productions, whether classic or modern : 

In entering, the character speaking generally comes 
second. 

Keep the foot nearest the audience back. Only low 
comedy characters, servants, and soldiers stand with the 
feet parallel. 

Kneel on the knee next to the audience. 

In walking lines, the speaker always sets the pace. 

In crossings, the character speaking passes in front, 
setting the pace, the other person yielding his place and 
taking that of the speaker. 

The weight should always be on the forward foot, 
except in attitudes of meditation or defiance. 

Mobs should be arranged in small groups with leaders, 
who in turn should be under a general leader. This 
arrangement will lessen the individual responsibility, and 
prevent the huddling which results from confusion. 

148 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 149 

Have pupils pace walking lines, those on which they 
cross, enter and exit, until they learn to step on the 
strong beat, this mastery of the rhythm not only insures 
stronger entrances, exits and crossings, but will give 
greater ease and self-confidence. 

If a character rises or sits while speaking, the action 
should come on the strong word in the sentence. 

The Romans did not shake hands as we do, but placed 
their right hand along the inside of the forearm of the 
person greeted, clasping it about midway between wrist 
and elbow. 

Always observe a crescendo and diminuendo in shouts, 
murmurs, etc., of the mob. 

The letters R and L (right and left) indicate the 
position of players on the stage, facing the audience. 
Down stage is toward the audience, Up stage is from the 
audience. L is lower, and U is upper. C is center, and 
R C is right center and L C is left center. The numbers 
1, 2, and 3, refer to the entrances on the left and right 
of stage. Rl and LI being the entrances nearest the 
audience on the right and left sides, and R3 and L3 are 
the entrances farthest up stage. 

The numbers refer to the lines of text, and the direc- 
tions to the business or action which should accompany 
them. 

ACT I 

Scene I. Borne. A Street 

Back stage R and L statues of Caesar, decorated with 
wreaths. 

Line 1. Flavins R C. 

6. First Citizen L C. 

7. Marullus (R) crosses while speaking to R C. 



150 



JULIUS G^SAR 



Line 10. Second Citizen E C. 

13. Second Citizen crosses to L C. 

30. '^Eejoice in his triumph," shouts of multi- 
tude off stage. 

34. Marullus (C) ''What conquest brings he 
home?" Mob on stage murmurs. 

37. Murmurs of mob grow stronger, change posi- 
tions, look at one another. 

39. A general murmur and buzzing, accompanied 
by meaning glances. 

54. ' ' Be gone. ' ' Citizens turn to R and L, uncer- 
tainty and confusion. 

58. Flavins crosses to C and Marullus drops back 
to R C. Citizens move off L and R, their 
conversation gradually dying away. Flavins 
exits L 3 and Marullus R 1. 



Scene II. 



The Same. 



A Puhlic Place. 



Flourish. Enter L 3 in procession, Caesar; Antony, 
for the course; Calpurnia; Portia; Decius; Cicero; 
Brutus; Cassius; Casca; Soldiers; and Citizens. Caesar, 
Calpurnia, and Portia borne on litters. They lie on their 
left sides. Caesar leans on his elbow and forearm; the 
women support heads with left hand. Soothsayer is in 
crowd R. Distant murmur of citizens coming from L. 
Women and girls have garlands and wreaths, which they 
hang on Caesar's statues. All exit R 1. 

Antony walks on R of Caesar's litter, passes to L when 
addressed. 

Line 2. Casca on L. 

3. "Here, my lord," Calpurnia 's litter born to 
R C, Caesar's is C. 
23. Brutus R. 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 151 

Line 24. Crowd drops back forcing Soothsayer to 
front. 
25. Cassius R. 

28. Exeunt, except Brutus and Cassius; shouts 

of ' ' Long live Caesar ! ' ' 

29. Cassius R. 

30. Brutus R C. 

32. Brutus going L C. 

36. Cassius R C '^ Brutus, I do observe you now 

of late ' ' ; Brutus stops L. 
56. Cassius ' * Tell me, ' ' crosses to Brutus L 2. 

83. Flourish of trumpets; shouts of ''Long live 

Csesar ! ' ' become louder. 

84. Brutus crosses R C looking off 1. 

87. Cassius, ''Then must I think," goes down C. 

88. Brutus R C, looking off R. 
96. Cassius C. 

124. Cassius looks at Brutus ; then changes his 

tone. 
127. "How he did shake," questioning glance 

from Brutus. 
137. Shout; flourish. 

167. Distant murmurs, crowd dispersing, flourish 

in distance. 

168. Murmurs off R steadily grow louder ; proces- 

sion returning. 

183. Cassius finishes speech and crosses to L; 

Brutus looks off R. 

184. "The games," etc., Brutus still looking off R. 

"Cgesar is returning." Approaches Cas- 
sius. Caesar and train enter R 1. Caesar 
stops R C and addresses Antony, who is on 
his L. Exit L 3. Brutus pulls toga of 
Casca, who is last in the procession. 



152 JULIUS C^SAB 

Line 221. Casca C. (Exits L 3.) 

222. Brutus R C. (Exits L 3.) 
231. Cassius L C. 

261. Cassius ^ives Brutus a meaning glance. 
263. Casca suspiciously glances from one to the 
other. 

ACT 11 

Scene I. Borne. Brutus^ Orchard. 

The house is at L 2 and gate at R 3. R C stone garden 
seat. Enter Brutus as if coming from house. Lucius 
and Portia both enter from house. 

Line 5. On finishing speech, Brutus goes to L C. 

10. Brutus down C on "It must be by his 

death ' ' ; pause on ' ' And, for my part. ' ' 
. 11. Crosses to seat on ' ' I know no personal cause 
to spurn at him. ' ' Attitude of meditation. 
44. Lightning. 

59. This knock, one deep thud, as if on an iron 
gate. 

88. Brutus crosses to L C. 

89. Cassius approaches. Other conspirators re- 

main in background. 

91. Brutus approaches Cassius. 

93. ' ' Every man of them, ' ' Cassius looks toward 
conspirators. Conspirators gradually draw 
near on "And no man here," etc. 

105. Cassius goes down L with Brutus. 

106. Decius, Casca and Cinna arguing R, looking 

up stage. Metellus and Trebonius farther 
up stage R C. 
117. Brutus C ; Cassius coming L C. First shakes 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 



153 



hands with Casca, who goes to R ; Metellus, 
who goes L ; Trebonius, who goes R ; Cinna, 
who goes to L ; and Decius, who remains 
RC. 
Line 195. Clock strikes, three low, slow beats, no one 
speaking until the third has sounded. 

220. Conspirators going ; Metellus mentions Caius 
Ligarius; all stop. 

230. Brutus follows them to gate. Returning, 
stops by house to call Lucius. Thought- 
fully walking toward bench, when Portia 
calls. Characters may either sit or stand; 
but Portia always on L. 

277. Portia kneels. 

286. Brutus tries to lift her. 

287. If sitting, Brutus arises first, then lifts 

Portia. 

292. Takes her into his arms. 

309. Releases Portia. This parting must not be 
hurried. 

314. Brutus goes to L C as Portia hurriedly exits 
on L 2. Ligarius carries a staff very feeble, 
head bandaged. 

326. Ligarius throws aside staff. 

341. Brutus gives him his staff, follows him up 
stage, pausing a moment before the house 
as if looking for Portia. Two or three 
times during this scene there should be 
heard a faint rumbling of distant thunder ; 
but not while Portia is on the stage. 

Scene II. CcBsar's House. 

Thunder and lightning. Enter Caesar (R 3) in a 
dressing gown. A bench on L. 



154 JULIUS CMSAR 

Line 1. Crosses to L C. ''Who's within," looks 
toward R 1. Servant enters R 1. 
7. Turns to exit, stands aside to allow Cal- 

purnia to pass. 
9. Crosses to R C. 
10. Caesar meets her C ; leads her bench L ; she 
sits L and he R. Conspirators enter R 1 ; 
Caesar meets them C. All exit R 3, Brutus 
last. 

ACT in 

Scene I. Borne. Before iJie Capitol. 

A crowd of people before the Capitol, Artemidorus R ; 
Soothsayer L. A flourish; enter R Caesar's party pre- 
ceded by soldiers. Caesar, with Lepidus and Antony, fol- 
lowed by Brutus, Cassius, Casca, Decius, Metellus, Tre- 
bonius, Cinna, Popilius, Publius, and others. Senators 
already in chamber, rise and remain standing until Caesar 
takes his chair. Popilius, Cassius, Brutus, Cinna and 
Lepidus take seats on L. Metellus, Decius Brutus, Pub- 
lius, Antony, and Trebonius on R. 

Line 29. Exeunt Trebonius with Antony R 1. 
88. Cassius L C. 
104. Trebonius R 1. 
114. Brutus L C. 

134. Enter servant R 1 ; kneels before Brutus L C. 
161. Re-enter Antony R 1 ; running, stops, removes 

from head light white scarf. 
164. Kneels beside body, covers Csesar's face with 

scarf. 
199. Meets senators L C ; they exit LI. 
295. Enter servant R 1. 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 155 

Line 317. Servant at feet of body, Antony at head. 
Curtain. 

Scene II. The Same. The Forum. 

Enter Brutus and Cassius R 1; throng of citizens, 
both L and R. Great excitement. L 2, a pulpit so 
arranged that speaker can face audience and look off R. 
Citizens crowd around front and sides, facing the 
speakers. 

Line 1. Brutus and Cassius R C ; Brutus crosses to 
pulpit. 

10. First Citizen crossing from R to L C. 

11. Exit Cassius L 1, followed by two or three 

citizens. 

12. Conversation louder; much shifting about; 

"Silence," quiets them. 
14. * ' Lovers, ' ' murmurs of approval. 
23. *' Loved Rome more," murmurs of doubt and 

approval. 
25. '* All free men," murmurs. 
28. ' * I slew him, ' ' mingled ' ' yeas " and ' ' nays, ' ' 

' * yeas ' ' predominating. 

30. ''Death for his ambition," decided murmurs 

of approval. 

31. ''For him have I offended," murmurs of 

approval. 
33. "For him have I offended." Pause. No 
answer. 

35. "For him have I offended." Dead silence. 

36. This speech of citizens full and strong. 
38. "Shall do to Brutus," murmurs. 

42. Brutus notes approach of Antony off R 1. 
66. Exit Brutus L 1, Citizens who started to 
follow reluctantly return. 



156 JULIUS C.^SAR 

Enter Antony R 1 with six or eight 
soldiers bearing Caesar's bier, as Brutus 
descends from pulpit. Mob keeps up a 
constant murmur, procession is compelled 
to push its way. The bier is placed at 
the foot of the pulpit. 
Line 70. *'For Brutus' sake," etc. Ascends pulpit 
Murmurs. 
71. Fourth Citizen holds hand to ear, as if deaf. 

78. Murmurs increase. 

79. These words hardly heard for the mob. 

81. Pause after each noun, in an effort to obtain 

silence. 
85. Strong approval from Citizens. 
94. Murmurs. 
101. The allegiance of mob wavering, begin to 

doubt, undecided. Murmurs less emphatic. 

Antony becomes more zealous. 

106. Are becoming convinced. Few murmurs. 

107. Citizens show by manner, glances, shaking of 

heads, etc., they are doubtful. 
110. A few glances cast at bier, around which they 
have crowded in efforts to approach pulpit. 

116. First Citizen C. 

117. Second Citizen R C. 
119. Third Citizen L C. 
121. Fourth Citizen R. 

126. Citizens give close attention. 

128. Some of the women sob. 

132. Murmurs faintly derisive. 

137. ' ' Cassar 's seal, ' ' repeated by citizens here and 
there, a craning of necks and crowding for- 
ward. 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 157 

Line 147. Increased excitement and curiosity. Some 

hands go up. 
148. Growing excitement. All hands go up. 
151. Still greater excitement and murmurs *'but 

men/' calling forth an excited ''yea, yea !" 
153. The crowd sways, a marked crescendo of 

murmurs. 

156. Are rapidly becoming uncontrolled. 

157. All hands go up at every call to hear the will. 
162. The murmurs here show Antony has won. 

164. A great shout. 

165. This calls forth a *'Yes" and ''the will, the 

will." 

166. The better poised citizens force back the 

others, forming a ring about Caesar's bier. 

169. Almost drag him from the pulpit. 

171. Antony descends. 

178. Lifts up Csesar's mantle. As he points to 
these imaginary holes the Citizens show 
how they are emotionally affected by their 
bodily response. 

184. A decided shudder here. 

189. Half strangled sobs, wiping of eyes. Occa- 
sional outbursts of emotion. 

204. Antony uncovers Cassar's face. All press 
about bier. Undertones of anger, sorrow 
and revenge, during the speeches of the 
citizens. 

212. The greatest excitement prevails, constant 
murmurs with crescendo and diminuendo 
effects, people move from place to place, 
talking to one another. 

214. Antony rushes back into the pulpit. The 



158 



JULIUS CJE8AR 



better poised citizens attempt to restore 
order. 
Line 216. The Second Citizen is a typical mob leader ; 
entirely dominated by his emotions. 

218. Antony knows he is adding fuel to fire. 

219. Yells of derision. 

222. Greater derision. Antony has won. Strong 
feeling. 

241. Antony is almost compelled to shout. 

248. All hands up here. 

267. Mob becomes uncontrolled; push soldiers 
aside, seizing bier rush off R 1. Shouts, 
and cries of ''Traitors, murders," grad- 
ually grow fainter. Antony descends from 
pulpit, goes to C, looking off R 1. Servant 
enters LI. 

ACT IV 



Scene II. Before Brutus^ Tent. In Camp near Sardis 

Drum. Enter Brutus, Lucilius, Lucius, and Soldiers 
R 1. Pindarus and Titinius L. This scene should move 
swiftly and with military precision. Brutus C, Lucilius 
R, Pindarius L C, Titinius L. 



Line 2. 



14. 



29. 
33. 



''Stand," repeated three times off stage, a 
little fainter each time to give the effect 
of distance. 

"He is not doubted, ' ' Pindarus goes aside L 
with Titinius, as Brutus and Lucilius go to 
R C. 

Trumpet sounds off L. 

Sound of marching; enter Cassius accom- 
panied by six or eight soldiers. "Stand," 



SUGGESTIONS ON STAGING 159 

repeated off stage as before. Cassius L C, 
salutes Brutus R C. 
Scene III. Brutus' Tent. 

Enter Brutus and Cassius R 1. Lucius and Titinius, 
the former assisted by a soldier, are fastening back folds 
of tent C, table, large candles and two stools inside tent. 
Brutus sits R of table, Cassius L. Remove their hel- 
mets, placing them on table. 
Line 13. Cassius rises on this line. 

18. ''Chastisement," sits, as if overcome with 

astonishment. 
30. Cassius starts with anger as if about to rise. 

41. Cassius rises, can hardly control himself. 

42. Cassius again sits down. 

45. Cassius rises and walks down L. 

46. Brutus equally indignant but splendidly 

poised also rises. 

54. Brutus crosses to R. 

55. Cassius returns L C. 

56. Brutus comes to R C. 

75. Both resume their seats, Cassius sitting down 

first. 
127. Both rise ; stand C ; clasp hands. 

137. Brutus sits. Exit Lucius L. 

138. Cassius sits. 

155. Re-enter Lucius with wine and a taper, lights 

candles. 
161. Exit Lucius L ; re-enter Titinius and Messala 

R. 
249. Cassius and Messala exit R. Titinius L. 
Varro and Claudius enter from R 3, and later retire 
to couches on L. Very dim light. Lucius sits on floor 
R C ; Brutus at L of table. Ghost enters R C, Brutus 
observes it when he snuffs candle, which is between him 
and ghost. 



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